I’ve sought it in a million
Places without success,
At liesure, under stress,
In latter days and youth:
Where is that cold, reptilian
Chameleon thing, the truth?

Truth, I have heard some say,
Is nothing but the truth
And for its sake uncouth
Liars have swung from gallows.
Some say that if we pray
It inevitably follows.

Others have said that love
Is really truth itself,
None whole who is not half,
Though love, we know, is blind
And sad awakenings prove
Love is all in the mind.

I who have prayed a million
Times and loved once or twice,
I who despised all vice
In my intolerant youth,
Know what a cold, reptilian
Chameleon thing is truth.

.

26 August 2015