Lies

Judging comment:

This poem is something incredible, this has to be one of my favourite reads ever. It's so full of symbolism and metaphors and words simply flow one after the other and just like an a gentle wave reaches shore, you suddenly have to wake up from this dream-like imagery as soon as the poem ends.

I thought the start was pretty good, but it was after the first few stanzas that I began to realize how great this piece of poetry is.
"index over middle, fiction over fact" such a great metaphor to me, as lies and truth can intermingle just like two fingers, I really like this imagery.

"my mother taught me most lies are so dark they don't have names unless they're white"

This is simply amazing, bringing up your mother evokes a really powerful scene and strengthen the final juxtaposition ("but I do") even more, and introduces at the same time this other amazing juxtaposition of the opposites. Not only does it create such a great imagery, it also conveys deep meaning.

In fact, most lies are so dark that you aren't even able to tell they are there (that's why they don't have names, because you aren't aware of their presence because of their being dark) unless they are white (recognizable). This is epic to me.

"that truth can't be stretched only broken into halves" you can't really stretch the truth, since it is what it is. As soon as you stretch it, it's not truth anymore.

"that fallacies feeds souls like water feeds empty stomachs, you go hungry, we go hungry, we're all hungry, no."

Simply amazing. I can't help but being astonished as I go through these repetitions, constantly escalating the emotions.

"My mother never taught me to tell lies.
But I do. "

Sweet ending. This ending is made even better by your usage of the word "mother" in the middle of the poem, which helps to somewhat link the beginning to the end, just before the final revelation.
Amazing poem, I really love it.

Judging comment:

Beautiful poem with an interesting message in tongue-twisting fashion. I love how she went into such detail about different kinds of lies, their destruction (though that was minimally stated) and gave lies more of a descriptive nature. I really thought it was interesting and a great twist how at the end she copped to lying. I feel like there is so much more that could be written here, or maybe it's me just wanting more of the poem because I love it. It was fresh and unique, a topic in a new way. Love it.

Loved the repetition, the way your words were placed seemed like the way a thought is stuck in your head as you keep running in circles. The last line, in its utter simplicity, contains such contrast with the rest (qua length, wording and meaning) that it almost becomes sinister. I like it very much, congrats on the win!

I don't think anyone's mother taught them to lie but somehow we learn to do just that. Your words brought that thought to my mind as I read. I think the process begins but the "little white lies" we all tell so that we won't hurt someone's feelings and they grow into "big fat hurtful lies". Not sure of the exact saying but the one "the truth always hurts", yes it does but I had much rather know your true feelings than for you to lie to me and hurt me in the long run. Congratulations on the win and congratulations on how your words managed to touch me in this wa.

As a mother I feel that is the most valuable lesson to teach..never to lie no matter what happens. I like the simplicity in this write and the directness..I could actually hear you say this with pride..Congrats on the win.