Poem 479

The truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth … not just this and that but all of it … context complexity and contradiction are crucial if we’re to gain any understanding of life by which I mean people … it’s the job of the writer to collect all the raw material before trying to assimilate it … the real world is sprawling, only fantasy is simple …

( I like the way this returns to the courtroom oath … )

The Whole Truth

Life is not perfect
it has a crippled brother
or a cousin that's insane

don't knock the edges off
on my account
                               I want to know
what your uncle did to you

strangely
that has always mattered
the middle piece
hurried over by the witness
so help him
god

the only way I can know
this highway doesn't go to Toyland