Ruth Desjardins Tell you the truth?
How could I?
You ran away from me.
You were afraid to hear it;
You were afraid to see.
Tell you the truth?
Why would I?
You became angry at me;
You shouted and misunderstood me;
You wouldn’t listen to me.
Tell you the truth?
Why should I?
You’d only laugh at me;
You’d scorn my fragile daydreams
And poke your fun at me.
Tell you the truth?
Why must I?
You’d twist it and make it shame;
You’d take the beauty of my soul
And cover it with blame.
Tell you the truth….
When will I?
When you deserve to hear it;
When you can listen and understand;
When neither of us fear it.
Tell you the truth….
Why will I?
Because you tell me yours;
Because you share your longings;
Because you open doors.
Tell you the truth….
How will I?
With love and anger and pain;
With gladness to lay down a burden;
With truth and freedom to gain.
1978
