You ask me

Why I lied

I did so as

time and again

Falsehood prevailed

For you were afraid

Of the naked truth

Mom you queried

Why after school

I tarried?

‘Extra class’ I lied;

Would you have

Digested that in fact

I was killing

Iguanas and rats

With street brats?

Dad, you asked

What was I doing

Last Friday evening?

‘Studying at hostel’

Was my untruth;

Would you have

Digested that in fact

I was boozing

And Gambling

With social Outcasts

Dearest you questioned

Why from work

Late I returned

‘Overtime’ I lied.

Would you have

Digested that in fact

I was cavorting

And fornicating

With painted women.

Why blame me now

For respecting your fears

Truth is so far from me

My life itself is untruth

This deception has

Me fascinated so much

That now I have begun to lie

Even to myself.

- Vivek Thaokar (Jan 2008)