The Phoenix Quill: Words Born of Fire, Inked in Truth

by, Samantha Syrnich TLC

Truth can walk with nothing on,
Its essence pure from dusk to dawn.
It wears no cloak to mask its face,
It stands alone in quiet grace.

But lies require a borrowed dress,
A painted mask to hide distress.
They weave their tales in tinted hue,
To twist the light and cloud what’s true.

Truth stands upright, serene, and clear—
No weight to bear, no bait to fear.
While lies, so brittle, veiled in guile,
Step forth adorned in practiced smile.

For truth can walk, bare to the bone,
Unclothed, unfeigned, it stands alone.
But lies must hide their hollow core,
For naked, they are lies—no more.

⸻

Artist’s Description:
This piece explores the stark contrast between truth and deception, rendered in a style that is both poetic and unflinching. The imagery likens truth to a figure unadorned—pure, whole, and self-sustaining—requiring no disguise to validate its worth. Lies, in contrast, are fragile constructions that cannot exist without elaborate coverings. In pairing this poem with visual art, the symbolism lends itself to minimalist composition: an unshaded figure or bathed in natural light, juxtaposed with a figure shrouded in ornate garments. The work is meant to inspire discernment, honoring the courage it takes to live openly and the clarity that emerges when all disguises fall away.