Transparent Lie Poem by Jennifer Sollmann

The ghost of a well used lie
Clings to your shoulders
Casting a shadow on your truth
Your eyes appear shameless
But shame penetrates your every pore

You couldn’t bear the weight of the glances,
The open stares, the whispering
You forged a smile and hid your pain
Pain that became increasingly visible

Your energy slowly dissipating
Your gaunt eyes revealed everything
Yet, hid the lie, strung it to your core
Your pale skin, lost its luster

You pulled your brittle hair back
You used the last of your strength
To pull back the covers and crawl into bed
You drifted off to sleep, peace never reached

Your twisted frown and jutting bones
Revealed the truth of your lie
Tears were shed in your name
Why didn’t they see?