Surrounded Poem by Barry Middleton

we drift into a cloud of ghosts
I wish that I could see
a shadow of the past within
our lost humanity

the phantoms soon will pass away
as younger souls are born
to give the planet one more chance
a new and hopeful morn

the child may find serenity
and take a deeper breath
as peace absolves the smoke and fog
to save the world from death

or they may resurrect the beast
and fail to turn the page
in resonance of war and hate
and pale and spectral rage

but every man must trust and pray
new souls will seek the truth
where hopeful spirits hide within
the faith and heart of youth