Nothing but the truth

~ paeansunplugged

A commodity considered archaic in the present times
relegated to being rarest of rare
truth these days is an experimental drug.

As dazzling artifice and pretence become lucrative
plain truth is no longer regarded attractive
a commodity considered archaic in the present times.

Lies need no passport, traversing the world
truth plods on, barefoot and sore
relegated to being rarest of rare.

Deception artfully camouflages flaws
honesty almost always gives you a spine
truth these days is an experimental drug.

For OLN at dVerse being hosted by Lisa.

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69 thoughts on “Nothing but the truth”

  6. In my family growing up, truth was a core value. My father always said that lying was “stealing the truth.” I still tell the truth before it even occurs to me to tell a lie, and I don’t want people to lie to me…not even white lies.

    That said, of course, I LOVE YOUR POEM! Beautifully expressed, Punam! ❤

    Liked by 3 people

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  7. powerful expression of our current ‘lack of reality’, we are out of touch then wonder why there is climate change and pandemics … everything is more closely interrelated than we could understand!

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      1. but if aware in this very moment we see with ‘clarity’, we discern the rubbish we are being fed, we see their delusions and don’t need to buy into them 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  8. Mmmm. This is so true, no pun intended, 😃Punam. It is quite sad to see so many people shy/run away from truth in favor of self-created diversions, which only cause more pain and anguish. Truth is freedom. Beautifully written, my friend. ❤️

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  9. You speak the truth, Punam! ‘As dazzling artifice and pretence become lucrative/
    plain truth is no longer regarded attractive’ – this is exactly why we need poets like you to keep telling the truth, so we don’t forget what it looks like! ❤️

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  12. The truth is overrated.
    It is not absolute and different for different people.
    Truth, without compassion and kindness, is Horrible.

    I learnt this very late in life as growing up Honesty and Transparency has always been a Big thing for me. It still is – – but I am now open to looking at chinks in the armour of such a belief!

    And so a part of me still resonates with the poem 😉

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  15. As I read your poem I reflected on our National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, I felt your third stanza to ring true as our history has shown …Lies need no passport, traversing the world
    truth plods on, barefoot and sore. Sadly, I think truth has always been rare.
    We so need to face the truths before we can reconcile the lies and become whole. Another great write!

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  16. Now, one can’t help but remark on what a powerful, hard-hitting and truthful poem this is! Lies need no passport indeed. Pretence has become so prolific and truth so overlooked, as you so cleverly put, an experimental drug. Such a wonderful poem with brilliant comparisons. 👌

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  19. The cascade form is one I met in my early days of my writing, and I’ve always felt it to be underused.Like triolet and villanelle, the repeating lines can give a dirge-like feel to the mood, and that suits this analytical expose of the current state of our polis, and ourselves who try to breathe its artificially generated air, very well. You crafted the repeating lines perfectly for their rhythmic and rhetorical impact, and the poem still is not too polished to lose its deep sincerity. That second stanza in particular is sharp as a dagger. A pleasure to read this morning.

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    1. Thank you so much. Though writing in free verse seems easy, I like forms which have repetition. They enforce the thought you want to convey.
      Lol! My poetry is never polished. I prefer the raw intensity of my first draft to come through.

      Much appreciated.

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