Sonnet Six for Will

If you would be deceived, then be appeased
by your own eloquence: your wishful lines
of demarcation, overheated screeds,
or under-whelming explanations. Fine
to buy some time by slowing down some shrew
who seeks to skew your meaning with her sense
of no-direction, - who is she to you? -
but even your most petulant defense
will not excuse a self-deception. Lie
to busy-bodies: do not make them bold
with information. But you must not try
to fool yourself. There's misery untold
awaiting you as you retrace your lies,
and see you have betrayed yourself besides.