Each new secret's a prison that isolates you,
Both from people you love and from freedom, in fact,
Though at times or with strangers you want to hold back,
Most truth's best benefits are served fresh, not hijacked.
Those who camouflage lives would control other's thoughts
Though this rarely does work and can cause the reverse,
For most fools can divine if you're open at all,
And an imbecile sort out the one who's perverse.
Yes, a man with no secrets has nothing to hide,
There's no need to keep track of just who you told what,
So there's no one deceived to decide he's aggrieved,
And no time you waste wondering if you'll get caught.
To wear heart on your shirtsleeve does carry some risk,
Your affairs are just yours unless you want to share,
To love privacy is not withholding the truth,
And the wise man thinks twice before answering dare.
But a secret is different, can be a lie
If it hides from another what he needs to know,
But rejoice if love comes, when you're true to yourself
There's just fear in the heart of one tempted to snow!
Long Tooth
December 16, 2018
Out my invalid’s window I see the hills
wrapped in a crochet of evening fog
Red taillights wink at me as people prepare
to go home at end of day
Cranes reach giraffe necks into
the last bits of sun tinged-sky
Lazy November light that is giving
way to winter tugging its shirtsleeve
Contractors hurry to finish their projects
lest they wake to storms and rain that
were promising to come, and now have
No one eager for winter, except for me
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