Small Stories (Are Enough)

I remember
in dim rooms
on a warm afternoon
he showed me a ribbon
in a box
with a star
made of bronze
and told me that it was supposed to be silver
but they were out of stock
so they gave him what they had
and I never questioned him
because this was my grandfather
who would never lie to me.

But now I'm older
and I see
how the mind can
warp and twist
and send lies spinning
from the mouth of a good man
and a loving woman
and innocent child
whenever the past is distant
or they fear
you won't love them if the story isn't big enough.