A Little White Lie

"Mommy, who do you love the most?" he said,

his big brown eyes wide,

full of innocence and dread.

"Why , you, of course, I love you the most,

but we mustn't tell a soul.

 
And, he fell off to sleep

without the help of the Counting Sheep.

And, a smile upon his little face.


This llittle white lie could very well

take its toll.


When tucking his brother in

later on that night,  he said,

"Mommy, who do you love the best?"

"I love you the best, but...

 let's keep it between ourselves.

"It has to be between just you and me

So the other kids don't cry, you see."


He fell to sleep,without a peep.  

No need for the Counting Sheep.

And, with a smile upon his face 


The very next morning,  when I opened my eyes,

there were two very, indignant young boys.

They had a faces full of seriousness,

their hands upon their hips,

and were ready to make some noise.


"Mommy, you told us a lie,'  they chimed together

Like they were singing a duet.

"We know you tell us all

The same little white lie,

But we won't tell 

So the little girls won't cry."


For 30 years, the secret's been kept, lips tight

And, those two little boys have sons,

They are told the secret each night.

Now, you tell me, 

Can it be so very wrong

to tell a little white lie?