A Lie

a poem by Pooja Amin

Today you spoke a lie?
Did you ever ask yourself why?

It injured someone, it killed someone,
and it even ruined the life of someone.

Did you care? Did you think about it, or even
take the time?
Or were you too busy enjoying yourself and ignoring
your crime?

Yes, it probably contributed some pleasure or a smile.
But did it last a moment or more than a little while?

You hide the truth and run away,
How long is your endurance going to stay?

The guilt inside is eating you,
No matter how hard you try, things just don’t return to
being new.

Your sleep is lost, and you hate to stay awake,
thinking about your terrible mistake.

Cheat not yourself as well as others,
Because this doesn’t make things better.

A lie depresses, a lie offends,
it does not build friendships; it gives relationships
their end.

Did you realize the difference between the bitterness of
a lie and of the truth?
Because the more lies you tell, the more you are aloof.

So fear never to speak what is true,
and bring out the goodness that lies within you.

Once you have succeeded in changing yourself,
then only others around you can you help.