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rascalx
Senior Member
since 1999-08-25
Posts 590
Florence, SC, USA

0 posted 2000-11-23 09:11 PM


TRUTH
Jeff Osborne 2000


Discover the truth
It shows us how we can become free
The truth is that lies are often
more honest than they would like to be

The truth is that fiction often tells us more
about ourselves than we would prefer to know

Lies and half-truths and deceits
our society is built upon them
Our churches and schools and politicians        deal in them
Our entire lives are awash with them

With vicious glee
the absurdities
and inadequacies of our lives
and all of our ludicrous hopes and fears are     held up to the harsh light
of the truth

This gleeful viciousness is such that not only does it make us laugh
Not only does it make us cringe in recognition
at the paltriness of human desires and ambition
but by not being afraid of the truth
who can really claim to be honest?
Who does not lie?

The truth is a rude guest
It doesn’t knock on the door and wait to be asked in

When the complex layers of lies and illusions and conceits on which our lives are based fall away one by one
What is left in their place?
The true man

the truth is indifferent
stripped of pretense
The truth hurts
skinned of all deceit
the truth is disinterested
the naked truth

Would I lie to you?


© Copyright 2000 Jeff Osborne - All Rights Reserved
pen of passion
Member
since 1999-08-11
Posts 234

1 posted 2000-11-24 12:32 PM


Good ending and that is the truth for I have no motive to lie to you.
rascalx
Senior Member
since 1999-08-25
Posts 590
Florence, SC, USA
2 posted 2000-11-24 03:24 PM


Pen of Passion,

     An appropriate and humorous response to my ending; thank you!

Tara Simms
Senior Member
since 1999-08-12
Posts 1244
Honea Path, SC USA
3 posted 2000-11-24 06:57 PM


I would think that the truth doesn't need to knock at the door, it knows it is always welcome.

Take me as I am or watch me as I go

Paula Finn
Member Ascendant
since 2000-06-17
Posts 5546
missouri
4 posted 2000-11-25 02:03 AM


Unlike Tara I think there are times when a lie is preferred...not that its the best thing but just the preferred thing. Would you lie to me? Have you? Thats like saying TRUST ME...Are our lives really based on half truths and out and out lies? Well sure...could you stand living in this world if you didnt tell yourself little lies? I think its called being an optimist...great write Jeff
rascalx
Senior Member
since 1999-08-25
Posts 590
Florence, SC, USA
5 posted 2000-11-26 11:24 PM


Tara,

     The truth is only welcome to those who are willing to understand and accept it.

Paula,

     A lie is NEVER preferred; but I do think that there are times when it is necessary to stretch the truth, ie. "the little white lie". I aim to be an optimist but since I have a really hard time trusting people with my innermost thoughts and feelings, I find that I fall into a pattern of holding back, and sometimes that leads to a lie. Unfortunately, the guilt I bear for the times I have lied in the past weigh me down to the point where I am unable to "move" forward. This poem is my sarcastic attempt at trying to justify my errors by those committed around me.

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