Tell all the truth but tell it slant —
Emily Dickenson (1263)
This, my Moon-faced manifest —
of deeds, reflecting facts,
a sleight of hand much less
than Sunwise blinding acts.
We turn to night, what’s half-told
circumvent what’s bright
receiving truth in fragments – parts
as morsels of its light.
Today Lilian hosts dVerse Poetics with a number of pictures taken by her good friend from San Diego: John McKaveney who has a keen interest in astronomy and a good telescope. My poem is to some extent a comment to Emily Dickinson’s poem I have quoted.
April 2, 2024
Björn Rudbergs writings 
I love how you used the photo for this poem….and in answer to Emily Dickinson. Ah yes…..the truth…..sometimes in these days, it’s hard to decipher the truth. First there was “fake news” and “alternative realities” and photo-shopping and now there’s AI. I think we all must search for truth a bit these days. I especially like these lines:
“receiving truth in fragments – parts
as morsels of its light.”
I think it is hard to face the whole truth, but if told in slant we might face it just as we face the sunlight reflected by the moon.
I love that you used both sunwise and light to construct the imagery, I find it very accurate and fitting.
Thank you, and I am so glad I found your comment in my spam folder…
My apologies for making you go dig in there; I wrote to support but not much more I can do at the moment.
No problem… I do it anyway from time to time.
A great alliterative title, Björn, and an interesting slant on the Emily Dickenson quote. I really like these lines:
‘a sleight of hand much less
than Sunwise blinding acts.’
Thank you, and a slant on her poem, yes that is what I intended…
I love the response to the quote of Emily. Truth can be slanted, half told, in fragments too. Love the moon-faced manifest.
We love the moon because the sun is too bright for us….
Well said, Bjorn . You have made good use of the quote and photo. 🙂
I liked both… thank you
Gorgeous, a delight to read, Björn, this telling Moon-faced manifest: this about half-truths, that
what’s half-told
circumvent what’s bright —
it is hard to face the truth… just as sun may be too bright.
I think we all hold moon-faced manifests at one time or another at least. Lovely poem
Indeed we do… and thank you so much
Clever use of the photo and the half truths we deal with on a daily basis.
Maybe we have to deal with half truths to deal with the sharpness of truth.
Great take on the prompt, what’s seen and not and those half truths. Well done.
Thank you… half truths are probably needed to some extent… shadows protect us.
Bjorn, great way to manifest an example of the quote. Never would have made those connections.
I took a short university class about that exact poem
Very cool. I think that quote might also be connected to Laura’s upcoming prompt.
Very nicely done! Slanted truth seems to be the name of the game these days!
The real truth is too hard to handle.
Sometimes that is very true! We probably live in denial a lot of the time.
Beautiful and profound. Loved it
Thank you… I tried to fill it with meaning.
You’re welcome. Well done 👍🏼
“what’s half-told circumvent what’s bright receiving truth in fragments,” .. yes absolutely! Stellar writing here, Bjorn! 🩷🩷
The blunt truth oftens blind us… like the stare of a basselisk it stuns…
Your poem is beautiful. I am more than willing to receive truth in fragments ~ providing each fragment is truthful. Less painful I hope … truth in one huge serving can devastate.
Exactly… and actions will be all in the wrong direction.
Like the moon, we must approach the truth from what it chooses to show us. (K)
Exactly… and maybe after a while we may face the full truth after learning from the shadows.
“Moon-faced manifest” is brilliant! We live in the age of half-truths unable to face the glare of full on truth. Love how you tied it with Dickinson.
I think we need to tell the truth, but the full truth may be too much for people to act….
Indeed…
Wow…I’m knocked out once again.
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Splendid. This is one of my favorite pieces from you that I’ve read lately.🌕
I love that second stanza, beautifully written!
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