All Our Pretty Words, a Poem by RC deWinter

your truth may not be mine nor mine yours

in fact, they may be diametrically opposed

the only unarguable truths in a digital world

those that can be proved conclusively by science
 

all else subject to interpretation

the eye of the beholder

the smokescreen of fakery

the faulty recollections of eyewitnesses
 whose stories prismed through personal lenses

differ in color shape intent

outlines blurred with the prejudice of projection
 

the photo altered

the video spliced
 the words misquoted

twisted to vilify

to praise

to reflect a particular viewpoint

truth from the mouths of men is smoke

shapeshifted to suit the heart

the weather

a desired outcome

lies the pills we swallow for advantage
 to excuse ourselves

to feel better

to put ourselves to sleep

RC deWinter’s poetry is widely anthologized, notably in New York City Haiku (NY Times, 2/2017 Connecticut Shakespeare Festival Anthology (River Bend Bookshop Press, 12/2021), in print: 2River, Event Magazine), Now We Heal: An Anthology of Hope, (Wellworth Publishing, 12/2020) easing the edges: a collection of everyday miracles (Patrick Heath Public Library of Boerne, 11/2021,) Gargoyle Magazine, Meat For Tea: The Valley Review, the Minnesota Review, Night Picnic Journal, Plainsongs, Prairie Schooner, Ogham Stone, San Antonio Review, Southword, Twelve Mile Review, Variant Literature, Yellow Arrow Journal, The York Literary Review among others and appears in numerous online literary journals.