5/7/05

Everything changed when

suddenly truth was forced out

from each surprised mouth.

.

Even stranger still

was the mandatory form

of speech in haiku.

.

Scientists baffled,

blamed large hadron collider

and poetry books.

.

All were affected

truth emerging sharp and mean

but no one knew why.

.

"I have always loved

your sister Jane more than you,

I wish you would leave."

.

Mom said this to me

and then looking horrified,

covered mouth with hands.

.

But the words were out

their truth undeniable

frankly, a relief.

.

I found my boyfriend,

looking for understanding

and some small comfort.

.

"Babe, I'm in love with

someone else it's actually

your big sister Jane."

.

"Your betrayal hurts

far less than I thought it would

to be quite honest."

.

I set out alone

watching the world burn with truth,

keeping my mouth shut.

.

I saw friendships end,

relationships unable

to withstand the truth.

.

So many despaired

unable to live without

lying to themselves.

.

Slowly, we emerged

cautiously, tentatively,

spoke aloud small truths.

.

"Rain falls quiet on

the old maple tree, peaceful

music to my ears."

.

Of course, the weather

is how we began to speak,

polite and banal.

.

But we yearned for more,

and slowly learned to reveal

feelings without barbs.

.

You are beautiful

took on new meaning because

it had to be true.

.

And when someone said

I love you, there was no doubt

in hearts or in minds.

.

I thought there would be

more war, but people instead

were freed by the truth.

.

We have adapted

and improved in this new world,

stranger than fiction.