Hold Your Tongue

(or - A little white Lie)

 

“To tell the truth”, they'll say one day;

somehow you know ‘twill be a lie.

It's just a little thing they say,

'Our little secret; just you and I’.

 

And when they whisper quiet and sure,

a secret for your ears alone.

It's almost certain there'll be more,

who'll break that trust, their conscience thrown.

 

It isn't always what they say,

to tell a tale that isn't true.

Sometimes it's what they 'throw away',

or things they hide, as if you knew.

 

For sometimes when the truth is thin,

obscured with careless words between,

omission is a greater sin,

when what they say ain't what they mean.

 

So hold your tongue, 'twill cost you naught,

be brave; sincere; hold back on spin.

Speak out with true and honest thought,

let not prevarication win.

 

But if you know the truth will hurt,

if told without those friendship’s ties.

Then you may not the anguish skirt,

when 'out the window' friendship flies.

 

But if good reason tells you nay,

“to hide a hurt, or ease a pain.”

Would then a 'white lie' be OK;

Must truth be all; to wound again?”

 

Your conscience now must be your guide,

to speak the truth, or let it go.

It's up to you; you must decide;

the choice is clear; it’s yes; or no.