The Stories We Tell Ourselves

A Poem by SED

(The stories we tell ourselves to get to sleep at night.) The lies, the deception whatever it takes to make the skeletons in our closets stay away.

(I am the liar
I am the liar
I am the liar)

the lies we worship and take into our homes
safe under naive covers
set a place at the table for deception
it's better here where we can see it
if the mood strikes
but turn your eyes politely away,
and just sneak a glance at perfection
guilt is shaken off and left at the door
beside the shoes and under the coat rack

the perfect guest for any occasion
manners and grace and p's and q's
(ignore the whispers behind hands
and the scent of falsity)
be honoured at your close proximity
to the worlds biggest and most successful ruse
regret and remorse are washed off these hands
with a little soap and amnesia

And always before bed
they kneel and they pray
to the generous false gods they choose
that they may sleep where they lie.