loyd.net

I do not want your complements
your pleasantries
your niceties
your polite lies.
Leave me to go my way
and I'll leave you yours.
I do not look nice today
(or any other day)
but if I did it would not be important.
I don't feel fine
and if you're not insincere
neither do you.
This morning is not good
for everywhere and everywhen is
permeated by the stench of evil.
I care but it is not my way
to say nonsensical words or
to thank you for your silliness.
Let us keep our silence
until there is cause to break it
so that true words when spoken
shine all the greater
(like a star in the black field of night
not a gem among cut glass).
I'm caught in the trap, though
I'll say, “I'm fine
Thank you, and you?”
“The weather's nice,”
For fear you'll think I'm not polite.
But I'll not comment on your clothes,
your hair,
for that's too personal.
I'll do to you as I would have done to me
and not look at you too closely.
So I'll take your pleasantries
and lies
up to a point,
But spare me your compliments
I do not trust them—
They turn to insults as soon as you speak them.

The Important and the Necessary Portraits Even the stoics