by Ms. Jenn
We lie because the truth is slow,
and we’re tired of waiting.
Because the truth asks for sacrifice,
and lies bring comfort with less resistance.
We lie because it hurts less
than admitting we’re lonely.
It’s easier to say “they’re just busy”
than “they don’t love me anymore.”
We lie when we vote,
at the dinner table,
passing trauma like salt.
Because the news lied first.
Told us we were the enemy,
or the savior,
or both,
depending on the headline.
Because our parents lied
and called it protection.
Because school taught us to obey,
but never how to question.
Because this country runs smoothly
when we don’t think too hard.
We lie to sleep at night.
To make peace with the wars we funded,
scroll past dead bodies we didn’t bury,
laugh at memes while the world burns under them.
We lie because if we told the truth-
the whole, unfiltered, gut-spilling truth-
we would have to change.
And no one is ready for that.
Ms. Jenn is a poet, storyteller, and mental health advocate based in Jersey City, NJ. She explores themes of mental health, healing, and survival through spoken word and written verse. Her poetry has been published in Chill Mag and is forthcoming in Dreamworldgirl Zine and Yellow: A Hue Are You anthology by Jambu Press.
This piece was selected as a winner of our ‘Lies’ writing competition, and will be published in diceroll magazine issue II.
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