The poem is really about self-delusion and learning to trust one’s instincts. - Karen X

_ _ _ _ _

People always reveal the truth of who they are in time:
First a whisper, then a shout, then a landmine!

Focus always on your inner truth,
then handle it all with ease

Don’t put your trust in people
don’t attempt to appease
that part of you that just itches
to bitch and moan

Trust in yourself
you’ll see there’s no need to atone
because there are no mistakes
though no doubt some ugly truth

The person who needs your truth most
just happens to be YOU

Someone whispered: I am irresponsible…and proud
I whispered back: Ok…just don’t say that too loud
Someone shouted out loud: I am emotionally unstable
I replied in turn: Baby, don’t accept that negative label

But the truth must be revealed to all
So sayeth karma
So sayeth the law
And the truth was shown to me in time:
First a whisper, then a shout, then a landmine!

You cannot change people
no matter how sincere your desire
only can you pray, believe
and stay far away from there ire

Oh, but sometimes I just love to tempt fate
So this time my caretaker instincts
I decided to sate
now keep in mind I’ve heard a whisper
and a deafening shout
so who is to blame
when my illusions get turned out?

I didn’t heed the warning
I didn’t follow the sign
so…who dug the hole
and who planted this landmine?

I forgot the golden rule: to thine own self be true!

Ah yes…the landmine
let me now reveal the sad conclusion:
I got my ass blown off
no surprise there, no need for confusion

Just the inevitable outcome
of what I set into motion
No one to blame
not even if I had the notion

Which I do not
the truth is now my everlasting light
so…no need for recrimination
not even for hindsight

Just learn…and be thankful
that’s all I can do
and next time: listen to the whispers
oh yes, and that too

People always reveal the truth of who they are in time:
First a whisper, then a shout, then a landmine!

Heed the whispers and the shouts aloft
Don’t wait like I did
and get your ass blown off

It’s harder to forgive a lie
than even the ugliest truth

The person who needs your forgiveness most
just happens to be YOU.

@2003 Karen X