To tell you the truth

Poem: To tell you the truth

I can’t say I’ve lied

Healthy, is to eat everything tasty that’s greasy and fried

I can’t say I’ve lied

Today will be the last day that you ever would have cried

All tears will cease and happiness at the tap of a button will automatically increase

I can’t say I’ve lied

The Queen has not died

She’s living with me in secrecy

She’s been telling me she’s had enough of all the scrutiny

Takes daily trips to the local market stall

Shoots a few hoops with local youth as she likes to play basketball

Make no mistake

She likes to

knit, crochet and bake

She’s got a spring in her step

Longevity because of me

She has found her long lost youth

And as you can see there is still no need to

embroider the truth

What could I do?

Next, she’s off the get a piercing and a crucifix tattoo

as she believes

and I’m sure you do too

Review: To tell you the truth

 What a confident start to the poem with its title and first line. I am putting my faith in the poet with what I am about to read about honesty.

But hold on, is what I’m saying to myself here. After reading the next line, it’s pretty much a statement regarding health and I have my doubts upon reading it. Nothing about a lettuce leaf or a vitamin C enriched citrus fruit segment is being mentioned. According to the poet, good health is about consuming food that is greasy and fried? Eh? Surely not. Have I missed something here?

What about the super food heros; the smashed and the bashed avocados, the curly kale with seeds and nuts? Not forgetting of course, the very virtuous, saintly sourdough loaf or cob? Haven’t we all as a human race evolved naturally to be living a plant-based life? (another story for another time) I digress dear reader. I apologise. In other words, I’ve gone off on one. Is it the after effects of the clocks having gone back by an hour? (Maybe I’m needing a spoonful of Chia Seeds for a mental boost?) Back to the poem.

The poet declares that from this day onwards, all crying for the reader will stop at the tap of a button?  That statement alone makes me want to laugh and I do just that (so it’s doing the trick so far. Oh dear, it sounds like I have just inadvertently confessed to have been ‘boo hoo-ing’ a few tears myself with my response to that statement. Wouldn’t you too though dear reader? Picture this, It’s a Monday (tear drop no. 1) It’s raining and skies are cloudy and grey (tear drop 2) I digress again, sorry dear reader. Hmm, I continue to doubt the element of so called ‘truth’ within the  poem but I’m happy to go along to where the poet is taking me. What’s next I wonder?

Royalty is what, and that’s Queen Elizabeth II. The poet continues to speak about their own version of ‘truth’ with saying that she, the Queen, has not died!

Instead, good old ‘Her Maj’ is living with the poet in secret. Okay, I’m in with the humorous angle and journey that the poet is about to take me on.

So according to the poet, the Queen is fed up with being intensely observed and criticised with what she does in her life. So, because of being with the poet she is experiencing freedom. Hurray to that! She enjoys going to the market. Is active with sports and young people. She does the typical ‘granny’ things of knitting and baking but then she will be doing other things too like getting a piercing and a tattoo.

I have read this poem a few times and I have enjoyed how the poet has expressed thoughts and feelings of freedom and fun. The clear message that I am getting here is to not believe everything that sounds or looks convincing enough to be ‘the truth’

It’s important to question things.

I like the repetition of the line “I can’t say I’ve lied” with the words, fried, cried and died.

An unexpected fun piece of storytelling.

“To tell you the truth” dear poet, I can’t say I’ve lied, I’ve certainly enjoyed the read and the ride.