These few lines came to me over the last couple of days. They are open to multiple interpretations...they are full of apparent contradictions, yet they are redolent with a personal truth. Dear Reader, make of them what you will. The poem is entitled simply:             'They'.

'They' said it wouldn't rain, but it did.

'They' said I'd feel no pain, but I did.

'They' showed me right from wrong as a kid.

'They' punished when I failed as I was bid.

'They' promised me so much, delivered none.

'They' left me all alone when I was one.

'They' called it "showing off", but it was fun.

'They' gathered round & laughed when I was done.

'They' told me he would live, but then he died.

'They' told me to be brave, but then I cried.

'They' said he felt no pain, but they had lied.

'They' said that time would heal, I'm dead inside.

'They' offered words of comfort from the heart.

'They' wrapped their arms around me from the start.

'They' dried my tears lest I should fall apart.

'They' walked an extra mile, time to depart.

                                                               (© 2015 Nigel Paul Paterson)