-- Naked Truth --

John Herlihy

When naked truth stands before us bare,

We feel ill at ease and ashamed.

Unaccustomed to its starkness, we simply stare,

In readiness to let truth be blamed.

We know truth to be hidden behind flower and leaf,

All of nature created to reveal.

The native solemnities to fill our souls with relief,

Free of the confusion we normally feel.

Rare the occasion when truth will stare us in the face,

Raw, wild even, its message no one can deny.

Dragged from the brink of despair by its amazing grace,

Truth’s nakedness its most telling reply.

Go about your business, but at times do lift the veil,

Naked truth will reveal itself, an incredible tale.

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(c) John Herlihy 29 August 2019