Merciful Lies

I told the younger ones math is not hard though I never gave it my full heart. I made peace between people asking for forgiveness on both sides while keeping quiet lists of those who hurt me. I said be patient things will get better though patience always slips away from me. I shared lessons speaking like an old man saying you will need this someday. One morning I heard my father’s voice speaking through mine. It was gentle and tired. I learned from the lies I was told and tried to teach my own truths so the children could grow straighter than me. I did not uncover every falsehood we lived by. Maybe that is love. Maybe love is keeping a few lies so no one shatters too early.