X-Rayed Speech

I am told the same they tell the majority

They try sell a story that can't be bought,

Not even with the lottery‐

They must've forgot, all about honesty

Talking to me, not with me

I'd rather sit through all small talk

Than let my face be lied to,

Than have them stand before me and tell the tallest fib‐

Maybe I haven't presented myself as someone to be honest with‐

Am I to blame?

I almost hate to say I can see through it all,

How?

Because I've been on that side of the conversation-

I've spoken the same speech,

Told the same white lies

I've told the same they tell the majority‐

To stay hidden,

To just blend in‐

Stories I sold, and were actually bought, until‐

They were recalled, rewritten, and re-told

Every cold sweat and heavy breath

Everything new and old,

But now, only consisting of true statements‐

The want to hide, and the fear leads to every lie,

They stand next to each other,

Arms folded and foot tapping on the pavement,

As honesty is dragged forcefully from my mouth,

By me-

X-rayed speech now exposed, although awfully‐

My mask, shattered, although only one of far too many‐

Not that it couldn't be seen through already...

I can only see through theirs because I've spoken my own,

X-Rayed speech-