if it could be
taken back
in order to avoid
the consequences—
if diminishment
could be convincingly
shown
to be the only way
to live comfortably,
to live under the radar,
to live truly free—
should it be?
nay!
truth comes not
at the cost of erasure,
and freedom is only secured
by the erasure of diminishment.
© 2026 Tristan Robert Lange. All rights reserved.
First published on tristanrobertlange.com, February 9, 2026.
Tittu
-
Author:
Tristan Robert Lange (
Offline) - Published: February 9th, 2026 10:01
- Comment from author about the poem: I’m published in an anthology featuring authors from across the Poconos, PA. All proceeds benefit the Pocono Liars Club — a collective of authors and editors dedicated to supporting and mentoring local writers. Available in paperback and Kindle, please consider purchasing one and supporting a great cause. https://a.co/d/58uxM69
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 4
- Users favorite of this poem: Friendship, sorenbarrett
Offline)
Comments2
Well written. Your poem addresses themes of truth, freedom, and self-identity, exploring the tension between the desire for comfort and the necessity of confronting one's true self, even at the risk of facing challenges or rejection.
Neither diminishment nor exaggeration serves in media, government, or conversation it destroys belief, trust, relationships. Leave it for fishermen. A fave
To be able to comment and rate this poem, you must be registered. Register here or if you are already registered, login here.