Little Losses

The times that I have lied
Have been pathetically inconsequential
A matter of face
Rather than
Disgrace.
Instead I rely
On admission
To survive
I use my frankness like
A shield
My truth’s my boldest ally
It’s never let me down, you see
This constant revelation of the core of me
It is its own reward
The way our elders promised it would be

But for others, I think
Honesty prefaces punishment
Up-front and forthright
Become effrontery
Yet lying is a mockery
So what are they to do?
Their lie becomes both fight and flight
It is their best resource:
Say anything to stop the pain
Then hope you don’t get caught

I used to have space
To debate
The nature
Of perception versus reality
But now my experience is a constant
And everyday illustration,
An endless revelation,
That some things are true and some things are lies
And I don’t give a flying
Fuck about famous paradoxes
Or influential philosophies

I wish that when someone told a fib
Their knickers would
Spontaneously combust
And I could sniff the air
Take in the scent of burning fabric and singed pubic hair
And look them in the eye
And say
Excuse me friend
It would appear
That you are sporting
The requisite pants on fire
Of the proverbial liar
Desist at once
Or be prepared to suffer
An undercarriage underworld
A perineal perdition
A haemorrhoidal hell
A scrotal scourge
A fanny inferno
A gluteal Gehenna
Netherworld nethers
Dante’s derriere
Hades’ hindquarters
Or in its plainest terms
A BURNED BUM.

That’s what I wish.