I wasn’t that surprised when I first heard
some athletes took some drugs to better build
up muscles and performance. It’s absurd
assuming fair behavior in a field
as wide as wealth, as vast as viral fame.
The aspect that astounded me instead
was hearing blatant lies, as if the same
insistent falsehood could make purple red.

I understand venality in those
who have too little or too much to hold.
Though I would lie uneasy if I chose
to lie (that windmill’s lanced, if truth be told),
the evidence compels me to believe
that we developed language to deceive.