Truth Can Be Stranger Than Fiction Poem by Francis Duggan

'Tis true that truth can be stranger than fiction and what I'm about to tell you is true
I picked up a woman hitching a lift from Inverloch to Wonthaggi on Tuesday afternoon between one o clock and two
Her story to me was a sad one and once more it occured to me
That some men are very dishonourable and don't have the gift of empathy.

Yes some men are very dishonourable that would be a fair thing to say
Her husband of fourteen years he had recently left her and with him took her last two weeks pay
He left her without even a dollar I hope with himself he can live
Yet she did seem a genuine person one who can forget and forgive.

A woman perhaps in her forties I pity her for her sense of loss
But that her husband had chosen for to leave her for her should not be too heavy a cross
Since he is not worth any teardrops to do the things that he did do
Most men don't do such things to women than him most men far more worthy and true.

My heart went out to the poor woman the man she had loved for fourteen years
Had left her financially broke and heavy hearted she struggled to contain her tears
He should not have taken her money he lacks in honour for honour's sake
Some people they don't know how to give they only seem to know how to take

I dropped her off on the main Street of Wonthaggi she thanked me and waved me goodbye
Yes truth can be stranger than fiction what I tell you here is not a lie
I hope her future will be better that things for her will turn out okay
I helped her if only a little in what for her was a terrible day.