Poetry Lesson

If it comes
from a poet’s mouth
it is probably a lie,
unless it’s completely factual —

or unless it’s in between,
one of those stupid things
artists do all the time:
putting a bent frame
on a picture,
deliberately scarring themselves
just to fit in. 

Facts, lies,
damn lies,
statistics,
poetry:  every one
a method of dissembling
and all of them
sometimes used
to get at the truth.

What I mean to say:  
don’t trust any of us
unless the earth nods
at what we’re saying.
 
It may take a day or two
but you’ll know if and when
your old things settle into new places
after we’re done.