LEFT-FOOTED HERESY? TRUTH, LOVE, LIES

Of mental reservation, lies
I've really had a bucket
-ful. I read long dissertations
On Truth, and think,"Well chuck it!"

When faced with murder, rape, seems we
Must check the Cathechism.
Saints Augustine and Acquinas,
Before we make decision

On whether to choose Life or Truth:
When murder may ensue,
To save an innocent life, I'd lie.
For me, better be true

To family, neighbours, those I love,
Than bow to an abstraction
And make a god of truthfulness.
Better the infraction

Of Truth  (what is it?  Ideas clothed
In speech, blurred in translation),
Than stand aghast, afraid to lie,
While Rachel mourns her Nation.

For what was good for Raphael,
For Rahab, Esau, And Pope
Pius XII will do for me.
Mercy my duty and Hope.

Words are the dress of thoughts, or so
Lord Chesterfield remarked.
Language translated, dress of dress,
Dog-matically barked,

By those who try to confine God
To Truth or Love or Beauty.
He's no abstraction, but Infinite,
Personal.  And our duty

Is to obey, love, follow Him, 
And after Him, love our neighbour,
Not erect doubtful words as gods
And use them to belabour

The brave, who for the Love of God
And neighbour, like serpents, wise
Weaponless, helpless, terrified, struck
With weakness's weapon: lies.


Notes:

1. Yes, "chuck it", with a nod to the shade of Bowdler!

 2. I am aware of the weak, half-rhyme or assonance of Cathechism - decision, and hope to improve on it.