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Janus

A Poem on Half-Truths

By Michelle Liew Tsui-LinPublished 3 years ago • 1 min read
Janus
Photo by K. Mitch Hodge on Unsplash

Telling half-truths is human; there are things that we will keep from people for credible reasons. But a lie is a lie - one may be doing so by omitting the truth. 

As a teacher of teens, I find extracting the truth from them (usually about homework) a challenge. It requires clear communication, objectivity, probing when necessary and being direct. 

The two-faced Roman deity, Janus, is a perfect symbol of someone who tells half-truths. And we know how to relate to him. 

Enjoy these free verses. 

Janus

Clear face overshadowed

By form distorted

Unclear

Embraced

Janus

His real words flow

When we speak

Directly

To his

Lightened Lips

Janus

Words are clear

When we ask

For them

Prongs erect

Janus

His words are clear

When we are

Ourselves. 

Sestina

About the Creator

Michelle Liew Tsui-Lin

Hi, i am an English Language teacher cum freelance writer with a taste for pets, prose and poetry. When I'm not writing my heart out, I'm playing with my three dogs, Zorra, Cloudy and Snowball.

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    Written by Michelle Liew Tsui-Lin