Inspired by Reena’s Xploration Challenge #353 &
Moonwashed Weekly Prompt – Pretend
they pretend to be with us
claim they own the truth
but what they deliver are lies
the cold, hard fact
we must shield ourselves
for bullshit harms us all
our demeanor
belies what we perceive
in the rooms we visit
our body language
held in check
to emanate positivity
our faces
with smiles and acquiescence
cover up our negating thoughts
our opinions
kept to ourselves
hiding what we really think
are we being kind or immoral?
the slickness of my tongue in youth
divulged my immaturity
when speaking untruths to get my way
at the liquor store
with a fake id
batting eyelashes for rum
at school
with drama-filled explanations
of why homework wasn’t turned in
at home
the walls cringing with angst
from screams between generations
at parties
braggadocious and vain
impressing the girls and boys for attention
as a fledgling human
i excelled in drama
yet aging now prefers that the lies come to an end
Lying is the death of truth.
Destruction guaranteed when keeping a secret.
He didn’t lie. It’s a miracle!
how does a friend
look you in the eye
skipping not a beat
telling you an untruth
how does a friend
feel good about that
then just move along
without a conscience
how does a friend
call themselves a friend
a person who can be trusted
a person you can feel close to
how does a friend
continue to act innocent
double down on the original lie
get defensive and shame you
how does a friend
think to remain a connection
when truth means so little
when respect goes out the window
friends don’t do that
Inspired by John Coyote – Damn Those Eyes and Amazing Song
While I enjoyed John’s interpretation, I sunk into the song a bit deeper addressing the singer’s frustrated state. It took me back to a personal experience in my past.
stay
the mind
those ideas
the strength shown
the man behind the eyes
life
frustration
anger, disappointments, and angst
chronic and acute
our reality is deception
leave
enough
it’s enough
life is more important
than those damn eyes
Sometimes the evil villain is pretty.
Mixed Emotions
I thought you could,
I don’t know why,
but there you stood
watching me cry.
Not wanting to,
I wanted you
to see in me.
Sweet Little Lies
The lies you tell
smell oh, so sweet
That’s just as well
since I’m no treat
Unhappy pair
going nowhere
We made our shade
Seeing the Void
Palpitations
upon my soul
Deviations
left from the toll
of losing you
Or seeming to
in screams of dreams
~~~
Stephen W. Buchanan enjoys writing poetry, especially in the ha’sonnet form. He publishes his ha’sonnets at “If You Haven’t Got A Sonnet” and occasionally elsewhere, often with a cat on his lap. You can read his first feature on The Short of It here.
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I Write Her 