whispered counsel

If you deny all accusations of fault,
do you deny all observations of fact?
The one and the two
are like tit for tat, sometimes
with that.
And you have,

now and then,

to take a step back
from your stance,
where you stand

on a ground too far
for your grounds to support. Do you represent

yourself in life, as you would in court?

You seem just the devil
I would advocate for.

First let me teach you a thing or two
about how to get by with the truth,
you innocent you.

You don't know

how much stronger your case really is,
than the impression all your bristling
defense gives. First of all, let me tell
you why you did what you did. You will find

you have acted as all
of the passionate and righteous do,
who don't stop to think of how clever they are
- congratulate yourself for that fatal flaw!
But before we are through,
you will see your way clear and far

to how your blameless act unfolds.
Thank God you don't gloat, or threaten
or brag too much!

That could have destroyed
all the good
we are trying to mold.