A coworker has told me

that I am too honest.

This only serves to prove

I am a much better liar

than I am given credit for.

When I told the fire chief

our fire pit is at least twenty-five feet from the house,

I didn't mean my house.

I stop at the fire house every January

for another year's permit.

They have never before asked me this question.

I am wishing they hadn't this time.

I have never measured, but I don't need to.

It is maybe eighteen, at the most.

Certainly closer than regulation allows.

Otherwise it would have to be

in the middle of the garden

or under the large maple.

They wouldn't have liked that either.

Had I been honest,

they would likely have denied my request.

Had I been honest,

my coworker would think me a liar.

I am going to have a fire this year

roast marshmallows and warm my toes.

That's a lie.

I don't like marshmallows.

I know I will have the fire and still feel badly

about those last seven feet of untruth.

By Christopher Clauss

From: United States

Website: https://sites.google.com/site/christopherclausspoet/home

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