The Measure
Data or No Disc

Why are there so many people
Who in this world
Think that intelligence
Is measured by the very things we say
When intelligence is very simply
The way we think?

The words we say don’t have to be
The words that are in our minds;
I can say that I like you
But actually I’m thinking how
I’m going to kill you
Once your back is turned

You don’t know what I think
When you can’t see in my mind.
The day you can
You’ll want to kill yourself
Because you’ll see the real me

My intelligence is not what I might say,
It is not even the things I do,
But the things that I think about
When I do those things,
And say them,
And make you hate me.

The thoughts in my head
Are not so nice as
The words that come out of my mouth,
The words that are so
Clean and nice
And make you feel wanted.
My real words are really
Harsh,
Mean,
Cruel and violent.

You don’t want to hear those words.

My intelligence will not be clear
From listening to what I say,
I lie too much to you,
And to so many others.
But I lie to make sure
That I’m safe; I don’t want to get hurt

So leave me,
And all those others
That you mark by the words they say and the
Things they do instead
Of the way we think.