Honestly
You say, all you need is honesty
But how can that possibly be
When all too late I realize
You prefer to hear the little lies
For truth can sting and feel bad
Leave the heart a bit more sad
When the words that reach your ear
Are not the ones you want to hear
The truth you seek is one you hope
A reality that helps you cope
And the words given so honestly
Are hard to speak and harder to see
I can learn to tell you other words
Hide the truth from what is heard
Succumb to your wished fantasy
If that helps to make you happy
But honesty is what you asked
And truth I have taken to task
But when your world disagrees
You will not hear it honestly
I would rather say nothing at all
For speaking lies is karma’s call
The truth, you would deny it
So, I will choose to remain quiet
The absence of truth is still a lie
And saying nothing an alibi
Not sure that I can live this way
Wrong in the honest words I say
Better to find one just the same
Willing to play your lying game
No real truth found in anything
False loved for the joy it brings
commonsensiblyspeaking 
Oh man. That one hit me hard. The “agreed-upon” lies that we choose to live with every day. ; the shared delusions that allow us to get through the weeks, months, years at this point.
We often seek out honesty and yet are so unprepared to accept it. Thanks for your reading and commenting. I appreciate all your support and thoughts!
Each lie we give or accept chips away a bit from our soul
Well said!
Love this poem! Great work my friend! I’ve always thought that in a relationship, little “merciful” lies are very important because one can really get sick of too much honesty…although Billy Joel believes in it…and it can really drive someone away. Once again, a masterful poem.
All the best my friend and have a lovely Monday and week ahead!
Beautiful
Thank you, Mike!
Very beautiful poem, Brad.
It contains so much truth.
“”Better to find one just the same
Willing to play your lying game
No real truth found in anything
False loved for the joy it brings” Who wants to live like this? Yet, the answer is many. It’s sad.
Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom. Have a beautiful week my friend.
Thank you kindly, Poetess! I am glad you enjoyed it. Hoping your week is filled with love, peace and beauty!
My pleasure Brad. Hoping the same for you.
xoxo
I think if we want to grow, we need to hear both positive feedback as well as constructive criticism. It’s hard to give, and receive, criticism, but it is necessary.
A little bit of sugar helps the medicine go down, I guess!
that’s a perfect way to say it – I might steal that line when I ask my students to do their teacher evals this semester…. 🙂
I love the lessons behind your poetry!
Nothing you don’t already know, Kristian. But thank you for your kindness, love, and support!
Very good! You are right. Some say they want honesty, but its only if you tell them what they want to hear.
Thank you, Joy!
🙂
A potent dose of the truth is what we all need to hear at times. Beautifully crafted!
Thanks, Pete! Not enough truth being offered today!