Abating Sins

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

Blonde Snake

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 Val – A Different Perspective

In Love With A Fictional Character

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

A fortune cookie tells us what needs to happen

Stephen W. Buchanan

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.

Untitled

If you’d like to be featured on The Short of It, click here for the submissions guidelines.

#TheShortofIt

Mendacious

Untitled
pxhere.com

words to protect misdeeds
flicker off his lips easily
his assumptions of naivete
bolster the deception
built-up scenarios layered
completing the deception
the cunningness of the ruse
further widens the divide
of love’s innocence
ultimately breaking a heart
then moving on
to the next vulnerable target
with no conscience
to speak of

some will always be lying snakes