be watchful
be wary
listen closely
to what they say
and what they have said in the past
glean
not the truth
but the willingness
the need
to deceive
hear their confidence
when unquestioned
hear their frustration
hear their fear
when that safe space
of deception
is breached or threatened
hear their accusations
hear their name calling
when what they say
is not accepted
as sacred tenet
and when you finally find it all
too much to accept
too unbelievable
search out the truth for yourself
as you have always done
or should have done
knowing full well
they will never provide it to you
and should the clamor get louder
should the tone get harsher
should the thinly-veiled threats
come unveiled
should their loud blatting
try to chase you from
the edges of that protective bubble
that space of delusional safety
should their final response
be violence
from expendable underlings
then you can know
a recognizable truth
is within your grasp
if you have the clarity
and courage
to absorb it
and you should also know
their most unwanted outcome
their deepest fear
their frightful dread
is that you might have
the clarity
and the courage
to act on what you learn