John Leonard: Advertently True

Advertently True

You recognise when someone says
Something so out of turn,
Suddenly, inadvertently true—
But contrary to what they know
And trust, and those listening
Know and trust—and then move on
With no-one but you spotting it.

This is your task, to be advertently true,
But with those same proofs: inconsistency,
Malapropinquity, unobtrusiveness—you will
Succeed if you are less than true
To yourself, almost no-one notices.

John Leonard

John Leonard lives in Canberra, Australia.
More poetry on website: www.jleonard.net

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