58

Outward the praise, inward the curse.
They know what they know
And say what they need
So that the need preceeds the praise,
Running from under the curse
As horses from the whip
Dragging a heavy hearse.

Outward the truth, inward the lie
That they speak what they need
To lie where they must;
So the lie preceeds the truth
Running from the spade
That cuts the worm in wriggling halves,
Squirming in the dust.


© Dan Goorevitch