Truth

A Poem by Christina Starobin

You want it? here it is: the truth.
Like a burning lump of lead
it is burning a hole
through the flesh of my palm.

First it burned a hole through
my tongue & mouth,
but I spat it out,
deciding on silence.

Now it is here: look, you take it.
Better still, press it
up to your breast
to your heart,
it will burn you like
a bullet.

It will wound you.
It is a bullet.
It will kill you.
Here; take it.