honesty is something

sometimes I think the words write me

Twice in the last week writers have used the word "honest" to describe our ideal destination in writing poetry. I think the Universe may be trying to tell me something here. I am not honest. Not that I would lie; I am generally truthful. I am, after all, a veritable silver-tongued chameleon of epic proportions. I tease and charm and flaunt classification on gossamer butterfly wings. I draw my heart's ache on the page knowing full well that the emotion is fleeting and will change when the winds do. I barely recognize the truth at all from one day to another. I wonder if I have the necesary maps and charts to get to 'honesty'.

 

Honesty is a pre-requisite for what? Women are notorious for creating a more beautiful honest. We can thank Eve and her luscious, red apple for the beginnings of our rambling half-truths. And if I'm not what you think I am, and frankly, some days I couldn't say for certain, I wonder if I should I put up disclaimers? Truth-in-advertising: "she's not quite sure what she ought to be". Or something like that.

 

I am so many different things to so many different people. But who can say for sure exactly what I am? What if every thing changes with the weather? How do we pare down the honest moments? Because that's all they really are, fleeting little images with a sliver of truth that are subject to change at any given time. How do we create honesty? Shouldn't it be stolid as stone and immune from transformation?

 

And, somehow, I think when these words grow up and blow away, they will leave a shiny, little poem in their place . . .

Author's Note

just foolishness, that's all

Reviews

[Ed Hart]

When your eye ("I") is single, your whole being is filled with light... You want to know what honesty is? Honesty is being true to who you are. We give over playing games. We catch ourselves closer and closer to the game player in our hearts, until finally, there's hardly a burp before we go our way.... ("If to thine own self", etc., etc....)

[Mark]

What I write today bears little if any resemblance to what I was writing thirty and more years ago. Does that mean that either today's or yesterday's writing is "dishonest", or somehow lacks integrity? Not at all. It ONLY means that "honesty" is amalleable characteristic, shaped over time by our circumstances and characters. So, I feel anyway, that the phrase "honesty in writing" is almost a pure nonsequitur, as what I am writing NOW is by definition what is honest...to ME...NOW. So, I think I agree with YOUR stated thesis.

I thought that Narnie had a very astute thought in her review: "Surely, the greatest crime is to be so wary of tomorrows that we fail to speak our truths today." That is the greatest extent that "honesty' needs to be manifested.

As to the "honesty" of women...Well, constricted here, augmented there, pouffed, painted and perfumed near'bout everywhere, and I think most men will agree, that SOMETIMES "Honesty" is overrated! Vive la lie!

[Chloe..Across the Unive..]

We are all more than one color- very good write!

Chloe

[Tommy]

Like the delicate remains of a dandelion, our seeds of truth float into the wind, but only find growth when they find a heart who can relate. And sometimes it is our own heart that spawns the progress of self, changing the seasons of feelings and thought, by flowering so bright in the shades of yellow, spotted across fields of green. I think it is unique to stand out. And I don't find yellow to be timid at all, but rather brave.

Emily you are a pleasure to read!
RLG,
Tommy

[The Analog Kid]

Very well stated. Thought-provoking and true.

[cfix]

I like the sincereity and honesty of your write. There is so much to be said here but i will leave it alone. Honesty is the best policy always. This is just so well said. Such wise words really.

[NoneOfYourBusiness akaK..]

oh how well I understand this delightful gem~


I am so many different things to so many different people. But who can say for sure exactly what I am?

and that is the 'honest truth'~ =)~

[Saraplenty]

Although feelings are fleeting they are still valid, and if I was/am feeling it at the moment then it is my truth.

And yes they will leave beauty in their place.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

So...I stand by my original review. Did Poe really visit with a talking bird? Did Coleridge really meet the ancient mariner? Shakespeare said, "This above all: to thine own self be true" but I doubt his witches were anything more than figments of his great imagination. I don't think we should prostitute our values for publicity. But poetry is as much entertainment as philosophy. So...shall we expect every song and story to be true and every account taken directly from first hand witnesses? I think it would do away with all mythology and most of religion if it were so. That might be a shame...or maybe not. But...I would not have it so. I would have poetry to be pleasure.

[TL Boehm]

"a more beautiful honesty" oh I love that line. Honesty, like nature is often brutal. Necessary, but brutal. I think we women - to generalize - protect the truth - but we muzzle ourselves when delivering it.

[OT]

Brilliantly said and written!! Leaves me wondering, I think there are some frays of honesty in the world, hidden behind the guises and masks we put on to face the world, be honest to yourself, and the honesty should shine through I'd hope, wonderful read!!