sometimes i wonder what the world would be like if everyone told the truth.
not just some of the time, but all the time.
and not just a collection of half-truths and errors.
the real thing.
whatever that is.
i wonder what it would be like if there were no more white lies to spare someone else's feelings.
no more omissions to save face.
no more conflict between the head and the heart.
no more plastered-on smiles that disguise the disappointment.

would we be better off?
would there be no more time lost in pointless arguments,
no more subtle indications that something was amiss and needs fixing.
no more one word generalisations that don't mean a thing.
no vessels of potent poison that threaten to overflow.

but what would be left?
would we be any less battered and broken than before?
and this time, with no hard shell to collect the arrows that are flung towards us.

with pure truth comes no mask. no armour. no shield.
so who are we trying to kid?
we can't handle the truth.