Little White Lies

Little White Lies

How easily I fool you.
You, who think you know the truth
and yet would never ask.
You, who believe your little white lies
are polite necessities.

I clothe my arms in the miserable heat
but your good manners prevent prying.
I fret about the time I must leave.
You say, "Surely he won't mind
if you're a few minutes late."

You see the marks but accept my excuses.
My reasons are believable. 
I am that good.
But do you really think I cannot walk
without tripping over my shadow?

Some apologize with their knowing smiles,
polite but powerless, unwilling to interfere.
But you are different.  Your soul has read mine,
and knows the truth I cannot name aloud.
Ask anyway, my friend, even though you know 

I’ll probably still tell you
little white lies. 



SWPoet

Dedicated to those in abusive situations and those
of us who know them or work with them. 
May we cease to believe the little white lies.
We all can make a difference. 


HOW CAN WE ALL HELP?
It's hard to stop the person doing the abuse but giving a woman a smile along with a phone number of a help line or shelter but putting your name on it instead (so they don't get "in trouble" ) is one way.  Another is just telling them, "You don't have to confirm this but I know something is going on.  I'm here if you need to talk.  I'm here if you decide you are ready to get out" and then just be a friend.  Knowing there are others out there who care will make her feel safe enough to tell the truth when she is ready.  Expect the lies (it is necessary to their survival) but know the truth and be ready to help.  That is the only advice I can give on this.  I've seen a woman leave numbers of times and return and I've even seen a few get free completely.  But like drug recovery, it usually takes more than one attempt to get free.  Also, don't assume these are only women who are suffereing nor should you assume they are only poor.  Children do this also as do men with abusive women and the wealthy are not immune.  Don't use stereotypes to prevent you from helping. 







Middle version (not oldest or newest) -some minor changes in newest version on last stanza.
Little White Lies

How easily I fool you.
You, who think you know the truth
and yet would never ask
You, who believe your little white lies
are polite necessities.

I clothe my arms in the miserable heat
but your good manners prevent prying.
I fret about the time I must leave.
You say, "surely he won't mind
if you're a few minutes late, sweety."

You see the marks but accept my excuses.
My reasons are believable. 
I am that good.
But do you really think I cannot walk
without tripping over my shadow?

You apologize with your knowing smile,
polite but powerless, unwilling to interfere.
And yet, if you asked, really cared, 
I would probably still tell you
a little white lie.




Revision above/original below.

Little White Lies

How easily I fool you.
You, who believe
Little white lies
Are polite necessities.

You notice I wear sweaters in the blistering heat
But your good manners prevent prying.
I fret about being home by five, on the dot,
And you assume I’m being punctual.

You see the bruises, but accept my excuses.
He’s had a bad day, she’s a little stressed out.
You actually believe I cannot walk in a straight line
Without tripping over my own shadow, or do you?

My family, my friends, my teachers,
You know.  And yet, if you say to me,
“You should tell, you shouldn’t have to live like this,”
I would probably tell you,

A little white lie.