We get to the point
where pretending we have magic
does no good at all

And pretending we have power
and pretending that we’re unafraid
will fail us quickly

(Not to say we don’t have magic,
not to say we don’t have power,
not to say we have no basis
to be fearless)

Just to say pretending
has never been enough.
That’s why I’m not talking
right now.

©Wendy Mulhern
January 4, 2018