I remember that day of discovery well
My mother, it appeared, was not omnipotent
As a young child she always had been
All seeing…all knowing
But there I stood on trembling knees
Letting the lie slip fearfully from my lips
The first untruth uttered
To this woman of infinite knowing
A woman whose seemingly supernatural powers
Made truth the only sensible choice
Since a lie would bring quick retribution
More terrible than the act it was created to hide
I waited for the inevitable thunder and lightening
With anxious, averted eyes
Nothing…no flash…no rumble
She didn’t know…she couldn’t see
I tested this amazing discovery
With yet another falsehood just to see
A scouting mission into dangerous waters
But it was true…she really didn’t know
As I lie in bed that night dazzled and amazed
At the possibilities this new-found power offered
A new knowledge brought a sudden light sadness
Where joy should have proudly reigned
Without any warning a new way had opened
A quiet growing had occurred
A bittersweet truth had been revealed
Sweeping away another piece of childhood
For though there were other untruths to come
Some spoken…some unspoken
But from that day forward I knew
That truth would be my choice…my responsibility.
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