On Truth

by Belinda Munoz on November 16, 2011

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Powerbrokers with muscles on steroids
bulldoze their way across the field
crossing lines,
burning bridges
leaving wreckage along the path.

Power tools with deafening boom
muffle the cries,
bury the stench.
Stunning display of moral corruption
hides the black and white beneath illusions of gray.

A pile of confusion,
a swirl of questions,
still,
the rubble of lies has a way
of exposing the truth.

++++++++++++++++++++

I’m not prepared to make judgments, and it certainly isn’t my place to do so, but yes, if you suspect that this was inspired by the Paterno-Sandusky saga, you are correct. I don’t claim to know the truth about any of the allegations, but I am a parent and I have a child who is a boy and my reflection on the general issue of the powerful vs. the powerless took me here.

Besides, I refuse to give up the notion, illusory though it may be at times, that the truth will set itself apart from a rubble of lies. Certain beliefs are non-negotiable if I am to continue to trust in the manner that I do. And so far, trust has served me well.

for dVerse Poets Pub

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{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }

1 ayala November 16, 2011 at 3:32 am

The rubble of lies has a way of exposing the truth….true words, Belinda. Great reflection on the powerful vs. the powerless. I also agree that certain beliefs are non negotiable.

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2 brian November 16, 2011 at 3:39 am

i was thinking it was OWS actually…with them bulldozing people out of public parks, but then again injustice, cover up and lust are rampant these days…

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3 zumpoems November 16, 2011 at 6:46 am

Well constructed poem! Open to more than the immediate interpretation. Like that you start with strong accents (Pow (strong) Brok (strong)) and like the variety of meter. Very well done!

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4 Meg November 16, 2011 at 6:57 am

Love this poem, love its eloquence and directness. I thought of OWS, too, that it started from there and spread out to other abuses of power, including the Penn State horror. Abuse of power is abuse of power, and as mothers we know/have known the fear that comes when we must also trust.

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5 Anisi from Santa Fe November 16, 2011 at 8:28 am

Powerful vs. Powerless is always worth a reflection…..thank you again Belinda for always making my day with your words!

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6 hedgewitch November 16, 2011 at 10:38 am

Money and Power are. to me anyway, the major curse our society labors under right now. This whole scenario unfolding at a college–a place where we send our young men and women and where they should be safe–makes it even more abysmal and corrupt to me. I live in a state where the University is also dominated by the athletic department–and to me, that’s everyone’s fault. But to hush up something like this, as the Catholic Church has tried to do, is not only wrong, but an exercise in futility that only makes the ultimate crash worse. Your last line says that perfectly.

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7 Yousei Hime November 16, 2011 at 11:11 am

Actually, I didn’t suspect it at all. I’ve heard about the incident, but there are no clear images or references that led me in that direction. I actually thought of Wallstreet (one of my personal soapboxes). Doesn’t make the writing any less powerful. The emotions are very strong and very clear. I also have two boys, and that these events happened for as long as they did is what is inconceivable to me. Thank you for giving outrage a voice.

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8 Claudia November 16, 2011 at 12:10 pm

strong words..and it don’t feels like you’re judging..just put these words out there…and that’s your right..and that’s what we should do…and even more when we’re poets..good work belinda

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9 Rudri Bhatt Patel @ Being Rudri November 16, 2011 at 3:38 pm

I appreciate how your images also connect with the senses. Sound, sight and yes, the truth.

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10 Elle November 20, 2011 at 12:01 am

Your poems always blow me away. You have such amazing talent!

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11 Madeleine Begun Kane November 21, 2011 at 1:00 am

Well said!

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12 Sara November 22, 2011 at 1:56 pm

I do hope your last line remains true. I fear there are many times when the rubble becomes too large and even too attractive to be exposed, but, in this case, it was and it’s already pointed the way to other piles and other lies.

One thing I know about you, Belinda, is you’re not a person to sit on the sidelines. You do speak up about difficult issues. You are willing to put your hands in the dirt and dig up the lies. This poem is a good reminder of that….

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13 Talon November 27, 2011 at 8:10 pm

Belinda,I’ve missed your powerful writing. This could apply to so many situations – all of them tragic and sad and always someone with power overthrowing those perceived weaker. Power in truth and hopefully the truth will be a place that we can get to, no matter how high the pile of rubble is or becomes.

I hope you and your family had a beautiful Thanksgiving.

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