Storytelling.

iii

The true story lies
among the other stories,

a mess of colours, like jumbled clothing
thrown off or away,

like hearts on marble, like syllables, like
butchers' discards.

The true story is vicious
and multiple and untrue

after all. Why do you
need it? Don't ever

ask for the true story.

[ Margaret Atwood: "True Stories." Eating Fire: Selected Poetry, 1965-1995. ]