Confession Is Good For the Soul

So many times I have failed the truth It is hard to point out a single incident But I can remember a few from my youth When I was most assuredly insistent. If “failed the truth” is to tell an untruth Then, I must admit I am guilty as sin-- Recall saying I loved and would marry Ruth But what I really wanted was to get in. Ruth was much more virtuous than I She stuck to her values, no matter what And though I swore love until I’d die She lived by what life lessons had taught. Months later when we were separated And I was in the military far, far away I wrote her a letter I am sure devastated It was cheesy, a poor way goodbye to say. The worst part of failing the truth is It generally hurts another person bad, What may be worse than the guilty “Kiss- Off” is leaving the one who loved you, sad. A confession, failing the truth, is demanded Or Karma will strike with pure vengeance Especially when you behaved underhanded, You will certainly serve the full life sentence. Since the days of Ruth, I have been left By someone I thought sincerely loved me My heart was ripped, and I felt utterly bereft And I recalled how I treated sweet Ruthie. TENTH PLACE WINNER Written June 27, 2021 exclusively for "Once More I Failed the Truth" poetry contest sponsored by Kai Michael Neumann