Checkerboard

{an old one and one of the first poems that I wrote in English about 7 or 8 years ago. Writing in a new language was a fascinating experience and playing with words was exhilarating}


I am not all dark
I am not all light
I am a Checkerboard

Hi
And Welcome

I walk on the edges
As my father taught me

He said
"Always walk on the edges of the checkerboard's cells, honey,
Because on the edge, between Good and Evil, that's where Truth lies"

Ah... of course he said that in French...
In French, Truth doesn't lie...

Translating it for the first time today,
It resonated in my head
Echoed with wonderful accents, betrayed his words, and made mine shine.

Oh I have always wanted to make Truth lie, thank you, thank you!

I don't like this absolute Truth that people feel ready to kill for.
I like a flexible Truth, a humane Truth, a genuine Truth, ready to make mistakes,
To change, to evolve, to grow,
To resemble the people who live in its name a little more.

I walk on the edges of the checkerboard's cells

Where Truth lies