Mapping Bitter River

Only the ugly and harmless
Are permitted to tell the truth.
Truth is one of our metaphors

For whatever we’d like to know,
Fear knowing, and would like to keep
Anyone else from finding out.

There was a time people believed
A river ran around the world.
Not everyone. Just some humans.

Some labeled it Bitter River.
I’ve been tracing it forever
It seems, this river of what seems.

I’m getting worn out by the wind
That follows along the river.
It’s got nothing to say to me,

And it never stops saying it.
I try not to shout back at it,
But I wish it would let me be.

I want to shout, Aren’t I harmless?
Aren't I ugly enough for this?
But truth is only what it seems.