Radical Honesty

The words tumble out of my mouth
No thought, just blurting out truth
Uncomfortable silence follows
They turn away from me
My honesty making eyebrows raise
Jaws drop, heads shake
Like what I'm saying is
Some dirty little secret to be hushed
Turn away quick, don't acknowledge her
Maybe she'll go away now
I speak my mind and heart
People can't handle the unvarnished truth
I'm always the outcast
Thinking about it after I've blown it again
No one is comfortable around me anymore
Always looking for the word vomit that precedes
People running away, running away like
I'm a freak
Why can't I just shut up?
Be silent, tell the lie that comforts
Why do I take people aback
Not even my own family can handle it
I try to be good, tell it like it is
Get slapped in the face with contempt
Fear, jealousy, anger, suspicion
But yet...still I continue
I won't hide my head and cower
Like the huddled masses
Like rats in the dark
This will serve me, lift me, shape me
Lead me through the dark
This part of me I won't let go
This is
Radical Honesty