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Recorded Reading (1:40): https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/5upc9js69ok3fmiagwjl7/Unsimple-Honesty.wav?rlkey=5btgfwimyq523n9llcmqao3ad&dl=0

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Unsimple Honesty

Today some thought me wise,
And some me stupider, forsooth,
As a grey haired counselor,
Than a callow youth

Today some thought I said some things
An honest mind can’t get around,
By others only shallowness
Or even evil were there found

Today some people went,
When they the blessing sweet receive
Of word of self forgiveness,
Feeling the reprieve

And others saw with more dismay
A cage that they had built
All for themselves, of compromise
And cowardice and guilt

Some readers then reached back
A sweet pertinent word to say
About personal benefit
They taken had away

And others felt some kind of need
With it to compete
Though it were writ intentions with
Clear, and bright, and sweet

Some saw the role since ancient day
Of lyric poetry:
Celebration of all human
Perspectives there be

And some wished to debate
About the legitimacy
Of this or that emotion
As if ’twere base Philosophy

What was it that I wrote,
What is it that I might have penned,
To such diverse reaction
Amazedly pretend?

The answer won’t enlighten much
This wonderer, forsooth:
All I did today was tell
The simple, honest truth!

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This poet is physically disabled. Public housing being insufficient to her medical and creative needs, she is presently living, in order to continue working, in her minivan, publishing all of her works using one thumb on the touch screen of her smartphone, surviving at an income of a fraction of her nation’s poverty level. She would treasure any donation you might care to offer ~ http://www.UgiftABLE.com ● #72D-31S.

Please be aware that it takes several days for the poet to be notified of contributions. International patrons please contact the poet via email or post a comment for the necessary numbers.

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