Revisiting "The Truth Is" (A 15-Year Journey) 🖋️💔

They say time heals all wounds, but as a writer, I’ve found that time also acts as a powerful lens. Looking back at words you wrote half a lifetime ago is a bit like looking at an old polaroid—the colors might have faded, but the raw emotion of that moment remains perfectly preserved. 🎞️

Today, I’m opening up the archives of Story Time Productions to share a deeply personal piece of creative writing. I wrote this poem when I was 18 years old. Now, at 33, I’m looking back at these lines with a mix of nostalgia and a deep appreciation for the journey I've taken since then. 👣

The Poem: "The Truth Is" 📜

Damn, what I'd do to have you here. Damn, I wish you were near. Then I would have nothing to fear. The truth is, I do hold you dear. Wait, let’s erase that. Let’s talk about that. The truth is, it was a lie. Don’t blame me if these blunt words make me cry. The truth is, I love you. The truth is, I do not love you. The truth is, I hate to break your heart. The lie is that we have to part. The truth is, I have to think of another day. The lie is that I had to stay away. I should have told you what I meant to. Remember when you told me not to waste your time? Well, I guess not being able to receive your love is my biggest crime. The truth is, I did not know what to do, But to walk away. Someone has to pay. I know hearts were never meant to be broken. So take these scars and wounds as a kind token. So forgive me if my heart weighs heavy. So forgive me if I feel less like guilty. Forgive me if walking away made us both unhappy.

The Conflict of the Young Heart 🥀

When I penned these words, I was navigating that intense, messy, and often contradictory world of heartbreak and relationships. The poem captures that specific moment where you’re trying to find the "right" thing to say, only to realize that the truth is rarely a straight line. It’s full of corrections, retractions, and "erasing that" until you're left with the bare, heavy reality of letting go.

Why Share This Now? ✨

I wanted to share this today because it’s a reminder that every scar we carry—every "token" we take from a broken heart—is part of the craft. It’s still fun for me to see how my voice has evolved while recognizing that the core of who I am as a storyteller was already there at eighteen, trying to make sense of a heavy heart. ⚖️

Poetry isn't just about the finished product; it's about the courage to be "blunt" and the willingness to let our words "make us cry" once in a while. It's about the healing power of expression.

Join the Journey & Subscribe! 🔔

This is just the beginning of a new chapter here at Story Time Productions. I have a vast collection of both "new and old" original poems and emotional stories that I can’t wait to pull from the shelves and share with you. Whether it’s a reflection from my youth or a brand-new piece written with the perspective of today, there is a story in every line. 📖

Don’t miss a single verse! Subscribe Now to stay updated as I continue to share more poetry, storytelling, and life reflections. Let’s explore the heavy, the honest, and the beautiful together. 🙌

Written by: Shachem Lieuw ✒️