Without Pretense

I had a strange and lingering thought, sometime just the other day.

A deeply concerning event, most of us sensible folks find.

When having your final conversation with someone, suppose there was a way -

- to know it was your final chance to truly speak your mind?

Just like that, you've caught right on! Read my rhythm, matched my rhyme.

It is quite strange to think that for every soul with whom you've spoken -

- one day, without knowing, you'll casually converse - for the final time?

Precisely. You'll walk off none the wiser that your journey together is broken.

Say, there must be things you long to say those you hold most dear.

Of course; confessions, accusations, and long-held thoughts galore.

I suppose we all have secrets, sealed in our chests, deadlocked in fear.

It most often takes death or crisis to open a heart's dread-bound door.

How terrifying to open such a heart in the shine of a long-lived sun!

Quite so; wounds, mistakes on full display- in court for all the world to try.

But easier, I think, when the life-light dims, and sinks near the horizon.

Judgment loses its edge when you've but one more roll of the die.

Yet how tragic to walk a sunny world, with shady guise as one's defense!

Would you have it different? All players, we cannot forsake our game.

I would have us learn to speak sooner and more often without pretense.

Aye, but what's a soul with naught to hide? In that we are forever the same.

Only because courage - and so, truth - is far too rare and late a thing.

Your strange and lingering sentiment revolts against the cynic deep within.

If such thoughts are resistance, then let this rebel bell - quiet, early - ring.