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To Tell the Truth by Richard Todd   
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Richard Todd (4 April 1944)
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Primarily a music critic and photographer, I have a love of poetry that exceeds, albeit barely, my ignorance of prosody. I live in Western Quebec a sh .. more >>
 
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To Tell the Truth

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  A lie was worth a nickel
in the close darkness
of our '53 Dodge
its showroom shine swallowed
in the early night
in the dips nd curves
of a January township road.

Company was coming
Mama wanted us in bed
early
before our favourite TV show
my brother who could not read
and me. I knew the TV Guide
by heart.

If I would tell little Robbie
our show was cancelled
that night, just once,
a nickel would buy
a candy bar
two red pencils or half
a comic book.

A dozen night roads later the nickel
was still in my pocket.
I'd told another lie
and been caught
at school.

Nice people don't tell lies,
Mama said.
I mentioned the nickel.
You're making that up,
Mama said,
I always tell the truth.

Next morning
I put my hand in my pocket.
It was empty.

I learned easily to lie
and well.
Learning not to was harder.
I do it even now
but not often
and not for a nickel.

Richard Todd

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11/28/2009 6:50:17 PM. #.26# You Are Here: To Tell the Truth by Richard Todd

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