The struggle and impact of lies on relationships.
The poem reflects a personal struggle between two conflicting family members and emphasises the importance of truth, forgiveness, and unity. The author’s experience inspired them to promote honesty and love. The poem encourages embracing truth and moving towards reconciliation and mutual understanding.
Who was I to believe? How was I going to solve this dilemma? I loved both dearly. I wrote this poem at a time when two family members were telling me different stories about the same event, both vowing they were telling the truth. I had to be the judge and jury and decide who was telling me the truth. I couldn’t believe that one of them was lying to me.
The first three verses of this poem reflect the confronting conversation between the family member that I suspected of lying and me. Sometimes the guilty person is too proud to admit the truth, and they insist on telling ‘white’ lies and thus fail to mend close relationships. This devastating result of my experience prompted me to write this poem.
Verse four flashes to a medieval battle scene, then back to the living room of a modern family. I chose to take the high road and write about hope. After arguing and accusing, both sides stop fighting and realise that they must work to mend the damaged trust and help both sides overcome and move forward; otherwise, the price will be too high and the wounds too deep and painful.
I have previously written two poems about forgiveness – Choose to Forgive and Forgiveness, which you may want to read. I chose this featured image for two reasons: first, I have written several poems about the puzzles of life; and second, it reflects the confusion I felt while writing this poem.
To read my poems about the puzzles of life, search ‘puzzle’ on my website. Beverley Joy.
PODCAST – Tell the Truth to Each Other
The truth is always black and white
Yet you paint over it with grey
A subtle picture you create
That tells a story that is frayed.
You think you will get what you desire
But you haven’t considered the consequences
Lies push those who love you away
With hurt emotions and feeling betrayed.
Setting one against the other
Fighting a battle you created
Evidence that doesn’t exist
Family feuds and unity are split.
A ray of truth breaks through the grey cloud
And reflects on their weapons, their actions astound
They throw down their armour, protecting their heart
They throw down their swords, vowing peace at last.
“Enough is enough”, loved ones say boldly
Time to grow up, live in truth, be an adult
With hands reached out, they say with love
“Let’s move up to the higher ground.”
“When we look at the other, it’s a mirror reflecting
So let’s stop criticising and judging
Your challenge is our challenge
Your lesson is our lesson
We breathe the same air
Our hearts beat in unison.”
“Let’s live and laugh, stumble and cry
Together, in honesty and joy
Sister and brother,
Father and mother
Friend and lover.
Tell the truth to each other.”
Beverley Joy © 2010 of Simply Story Poetry. All rights reserved.
You can listen to all my poems on several podcast platforms here
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Don’t Lie to Me – Barbra Streisand
Simply Story Poetry 
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