Damning two lies
with only one truth
Deception remixes
like gin and vermouth

Jumping from one
as the other got hot
Port in the storm
where perdition is fraught    

Grace in short order
with blessings denied
Thomas redoubting
all faith circumscribed  

Prevarication
twin sister of pain
The Word caught between them
—trapped to remain

(The New Room: July, 2023)