Love Poem: Scruples
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Written by: Keith Bickerstaffe

Scruples

Truth is a two-edged sword, 
you will be cut by nonsense 
and by circumstance, my sons, 
full blinded to its darker side 
you'll drift in seas of innocence, 
carefree as two neophytes 
with all the answers pending, 
daft and delirious, your youth is barely spent, 
and dreams are never-ending, 
immerse yourself in fantasies 
as long as you are able, 
and nestle, tightly held in heaven's tending. 

The twin deceits will wriggle as you learn, 
and even good will bring you sorrow, 
as the ways of evil cause you strife; 
differentiate, discern 
that which you can beg or borrow 
to lend a sweet contentment to your life. 
Everyone will aggravate and meddle, 
good and bad will jostle for attention, 
the guilty and the innocent, 
whatever they can camouflage or peddle 
to cheat on their redemption, 
beware these sly recalcitrants! 

The glory of the earth is set before you, 
flora, fauna, the duplicity of man, 
the dust of stars, the rubble of creation, 
the planets slowly spinning into view. 
Amidst the whirl, the waste, do what you can, 
identify the source of inspiration, 
the sounds of summer singing in the grass, 
birdsong, and the bliss of flowers in bloom, 
the unity of things, below, above. 
You'll make a difference in the days that pass
as you give your fellow seekers elbow room, 
uncompromising in your search for love.