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The Unknown and Lying It Scares People

the truth is a drunk in the corner
nobody wants to look at
because he’s missing teeth
and smells like the gutter.

people like their stories neat—
swept floors, white smiles,
the lie folded in like sugar in coffee.

you tell them the world is falling apart
and they’ll laugh
until the ceiling drops on their heads.

the unknown sits outside the door
in the rain,
smoking a bent cigarette.

most folks would rather
pretend they never heard the knock.


Copyright © James Mclain

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