Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE TRUTH? by JOHN COWPER POWYS

First Line: COME, MY ENEMIES, MY FRIENDS
Last Line: BACK TO OUR OLD PLAY!
Subject(s): ENEMIES; FRIENDSHIP; GOD; HEAVEN; LOVE; TRUTH; PARADISE;

Come, my enemies, my friends,
Let us drop this pose!
Now the light's out the play ends
And the door must close.

Let us drop our masks and be
Just for once ourselves,
Saints and Satyrs shamelessly,
Goblins, Imps and Elves.

You love him and I love you,
Why not say it then?
God in heaven! let's once be true
To what makes us men!

Christ in heaven! let's once forgo
Caution and discretion!
You -- you there -- whom I hate so,
What is your confession?

Eh? Is that the truth? Well, I
Feel the same; -- so we
Stripped of the eternal lie
Can for once agree!

You -- you there -- my one delight,
What have you to say?
@3What?@1 Not that! -- Up with the light!
Back to our old play!



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