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
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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: 17
- Users favorite of this poem: Friendship, sorenbarrett, Paul Bell
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Comments7
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.
My friend, you read this with clarity. You caught the wrestling between ease and integrity, and the refusal to trade wholeness for acceptance. I’m grateful for the way you saw and reflected that struggle. Much appreciated, Friendship! 🕯️⚖️🖤🙏
Neither diminishment nor exaggeration serves in media, government, or conversation it destroys belief, trust, relationships. Leave it for fishermen. A fave
Soren, thank you…this is sharp and grounded, and it lands cleanly. You cut straight to the ethical nerve of the poem. Much appreciated, my friend. 🕯️⚖️🖤🙏
You are always welcome Tristan
Ain't no diminishing for that glugging one and his mates. No diminishing of what? Don't answer that! lol.
None. Ever. Not ever. Never. LOL! The glugs continue on! 🤣 🕯️⚖️🖤🙏
Should you call it out? Will it make a difference if you do?
Does it affect others? Always a tough decision that can work one or both ways.
Some see it as duty, others can't live with themselves if they don't call it out.
That tension you name between duty and self-respect really matters. Sometimes the cost isn’t external at all…it’s what silence does to the person carrying it. Thanks for your insight, Paul! 🕯️⚖️🖤🙏
Perspective – the ability to know which battles are worth the pursuit, and which should be abandoned, because they aren’t worth a candle…….. wish I had that ability…..
Thanks Tristan.
Dave, this made me chuckle and nod at the same time…that wish hits close to home! 🤣 🕯️⚖️🖤🙏
The “erasure of diminishment” now that’s what I like 🙏🏻🕊️
💯 Yes! “Erasure of diminishment” is the hinge for me. It flips the usual demand on its head and refuses the idea that safety comes from shrinking. I appreciate you seeing that line, dearest friend. It’s a small refusal, but a decisive one…and, for me, it carries the whole poem. Grateful for your eye and your presence here. 🕯️⚖️🖤🙏
Sometimes to feel is to see with clearer eyes 👀🙏🏻🕊️
I could not agree more with that! 💯
Righteous and raw — your words don’t flinch from the cost of truth.
Freedom never whispers; it shouts through the cracks you’ve carved here.
Thomas, I’m grateful for this reading. You caught both the righteousness and the abrasion…the refusal to flinch, and the understanding that freedom is loud because it has to be. Thank you for meeting the poem where it stands, my friend. 🕯️⚖️🖤🙏
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