The Truth

("A Moment of Grace" aka "The Empty Mirror", 2024, original encaustic) The Truth If you follow the truth, And are foolhardy enough to try and describe it, You end up with something That like an algebraic equation Cancels itself out and leaves you with nothing. It’s a complicated and convoluted thing this truth, And it takes a lot of courage to follow it All the way to such a vacant end. Most of us settle for less And make a name for ourselves On the half truths we cling to and proclaim There are very few positions in society Of any great standing for truth tellers after all Certainly not in academia, the media, entertainment or politics. You’ll find truth tellers, Fellow travelers reduced to nothing, At the back of the bus, In dive bars grooving to some unknown band Hitchhiking late at night going, for God’s sake, Who knows where, Or out on the beach, way down at the far end Naked and alone. Anyway, at least those are some I’ve met Who guided me Not so much as to where or when or what But simply to how How to keep moving If not physically, at least emotionally and mentally How to keep wondering, Which is what those that see With a sense of wonder can’t help but do, Until the wonderful is seen in everything In every moment, the very instant itself When the equations of a lifetime Balance out to zero. (7/9/24)