A Case for Speaking Out

There have been a number of occasions in my life when I have regretted not having spoken up about something that I had feelings about. I have always felt somewhat shy and prone to keep my own council but there are times when words were called for and in response to those times I have written the following as a way of reminding myself to speak out when the occasion calls for it.

Outspoken

Who is this

Who with politeness so exaggerated

Entertains with feigned expression

That which he disdains.

Who with discourse polite

Abhorrent feelings maintain.

Whose eyes hide

The lies his mouth describes

Eyes on whose inside

With loathing not apparent

Are inscribed

That exact opposite

Of what his tongue describes

Speak your truth, man

Or what you do speak

Shall encumber you with grief

Shall mock your ways

Disrupt your sleep

With grave disregard

Ignore your dying words

When finally, outcome free

The too-late truth sprouts

From soon rotten flesh

Takes no root,

Bears no fruit

For lack of a believing ear.

So offend who you must

If the offense given is just

The reward will be trust

Truth, witness to itself will bear

Every old cloth has a tear

That well mended

Makes it worthwhile to wear

Those will be few

That long begrudge you

The words your mouth spew

If the stanza is short

And the sharp notes you sing

Create discord

Let the offended party

Move it’s own notes

Up or down the scale

To create harmony again

If your song is well sung

If the deed is well done

Let your chorus repeat

And never repent the singing

And if the truth so offend

That men come to blows

So be it

Rather blood then compromise

Better to tell the truth

And walk alone in undeserved disgrace

Than display the alibi

And walk with false friends apace

Tell the truth

And disregard love? You say

How can that be righteous?

Better, I say, to seal your fate

With those that you hate

Than to your own heart

Be a traitor

Better to tread a straight forward path

And expose your disregard

For conventions

Than wander in diminished rings

Wishing what you might have said

Would have sprouted wings

And carried it’s own message

On your behalf.

Let us learn to despise

The lies we speak in dread

Of what a man may think

Than lie in our beds

With undelivered words

Ringing in our heads.

Better our tongue be a sword

Than a spade

To dig our grave truth a shallow hole.

This mouth

Uncaring womb of words

Better a tomb for lies unsprouted

Than a garden of indecent fruit

Breeder of half happy doubt

Giving rise to one-legged truth

Better barren of offspring.

Never despise

Words spoken wise

Harsh words

To tender hearts can be

Brought on a doves wing