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One Sweet Lie

*Note: This is a tale of honor in which the protagonist refused to tell his lady a truth which would have broken her heart, so instead he allows her to believe a lie, although it cost him her love.



Your tears stream salt into my open wounds
Equitable punishment for a scathing tongue
When deceptive words spilled from its fork,
my palate tasted morsels of amarum gall

           Mea culpa      Mea culpa

What penance do you deem to be delivered
for chafing injury upon your virtuous heart?
I have perjured myself with loathsome deceit
Condemned a liar, in weeping from your eyes

Deprive me of your kiss, as rain denies a flower
and I will crave death in a cold grave of darkness                              
Parce mihi, amica mea  ~  forgive me, my love 
The moment of reckoning weighs upon my brow

           Mea culpa       Mea culpa

To defend your innocence, I have readily sinned
For if truth I had told, it would've been a sword
and my hand, the one thrusting it into your heart
My life was loyally given; well worth one dulcis lie


                      Latin translations: 
        amarum ~ bitter        dulcis ~ sweet

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Funom Makama Date: 12/18/2018 11:01:00 AM Lord God! This has excited me to my soul... My spirit dances like a redeemed bastard with your lines... Keep on writing dear friend. Login to Reply Lin Lane Date: 12/21/2018 5:51:00 PM It's really an insult to copy/paste your comments to poets. Even worse is that you insult God with your opening two words. Refrain from commenting on my poetry.

Mystic Rose Rose Date: 12/12/2018 3:43:00 PM your old fashioned English suits the mood here dear Lin, an outstanding poem you can surely be proud of. Thanks for sharing, have a wonderful evening Login to Reply Lin Lane Date: 12/15/2018 3:38:00 PM Thank you, Pixie.

Tim Smith Date: 12/12/2018 8:04:00 AM So deeply in love that he would sacrifice his own happiness to save her pain. Chivalry at it's finest...haven't been around much but they seem to have gotten rid of the dreaded pop up ads on my phone, so might see more of me :)) Login to Reply Lin Lane Date: 12/12/2018 8:31:00 AM Hi Tim. I'm not posting often, but did at the request of someone last week. It's great that those pop-ups are no longer interfering, and it'll be great to read more of you. Thank you for your thoughts on this write.

Chris Green Date: 12/10/2018 9:24:00 AM This is true love in its sincerest form. To lose someone because of an untruth uttered to protect them is such a beautiful sacrifice. Definitely painful but the heart makes it's own decisions right or wrong. This one touched me deeply because I can see this and I can see myself doing this. Your words Lin are so beautiful and heart touching. Thank you for posting this. Login to Reply Lin Lane Date: 12/10/2018 10:38:00 AM Thanks for your ever-encouraging comments, Chris. This is the final of three in a row that I promised to you. I'll be around.

Harry Horsman Date: 12/9/2018 4:56:00 PM So profound Lin, excellent rendering of the deepness of a soul.. Login to Reply Lin Lane Date: 12/9/2018 6:13:00 PM Many thanks for your comments, harry.

Robert Lindley Date: 12/9/2018 2:25:00 PM Dark , deep and full of sadness in that humans oft get themselves in such bad fixes. Especially so in interactions where love is in the mix. Exquisite verses delivered in a truly masterful and top class show of reflection, of how lies tho' well meant oft still carry that cutting blade and biting sting in life. A fav.. Login to Reply Lin Lane Date: 12/9/2018 6:12:00 PM Love can be the epitome of Joy and sorrow. The things it causes us to do has no bounds. Thank you ever so much for your kind thoughts, Robert.

Tom Cunningham Date: 12/8/2018 10:41:00 AM You have written a very dark verse Lin, its a work of art and the Latin gives it a touch of real class. Tom. Login to Reply Lin Lane Date: 12/8/2018 11:15:00 AM It is dark, Tom, but the deeper meaning is that this protagonist would rather sacrifice her love for him, than allow her to discover something far worse about her past. Thanks for the read and comments. Perhaps I should give a brief insight in a note.

Jan Allison Date: 12/8/2018 10:33:00 AM So deep and dark Lin and I love the Latin phrases scattered cleverly throughout this sad tale hugs Jan xx Login to Reply Lin Lane Date: 12/8/2018 11:12:00 AM Thank you so very much, Jan. It's a tale of love in which he refused to tell her a truth which would have broken her heart, so instead he allows her to believe a lie, although it cost him her love.