I wrote this poem circa 2005, about 20 years ago. Normally, I wouldn’t care too much about something written ages ago, but I make an exception for poetry when it has continued to resonate with me at a deeper level. To me, each poem feels like an emotion that is frozen in time… The operative theme that I ascribe to Paranoia is ‘cynicism…but justified’.

• You think you know the way of the world,
• You build your castle of silver and gold,
• In your marble tower you proudly stand,
• And smile upon your kingdom, your land.

• It isn’t so, it isn’t so —
• You do not see the unseen foe,
• There is no stone to hold your fort,
• You have no gun, you have no moat.

• They have no need for dagger or gun,
• They come with hate, not joy, not fun,
• They come to pull you down to the earth,
• To snatch your joy and kill your mirth.

• They come, they come — do you not see?
• This is no place for you to be!
• Run my friend — find a safe spot!
• I shall keep them at bay, no matter what!

• I see you running, keep going, my friend —
• Safety you will find beyond the riverbend.
• Till then I will fight these monsters of hate,
• Fear not for me! Find haven and wait!

• Now that you’re gone, I cast off this mask —
• For indeed I am finished with my task.
• I climb up the tower, this kingdom is mine,
• The food is exquisite, and so is the wine.

• You ask why I lied, maledict me you may —
• You know the way of the world you say.
• When you saved your self, precious though it be,
• Why did you not stay — at least for me?