The verdict of defeat
is not the final word,
however hard and flat
the voice intoning it

Nothing said in hard, flat tones
can be the final word,
for truth has joy, and truth
is ever singing

When you hear truth’s voice,
the ringing of it
will make you sit still.
You won’t want to do anything
but listen

When you hear truth’s voice,
all that’s hard and flat in you
will melt —
all that speaks to you in cruel tones,
all that is vindictive and contemptuous
will turn to dust and wash away,
and leave you sparkling clear and true,
toning in the voice that knows your name.

©Wendy Mulhern
October 11, 2019