There’s a treachery in imagery—
says we perceive
but only how our biased minds
desire us to see.

Even a photograph lends itself
to partiality to then easily mislead
through a muddied lens;
to tell a certain story.

Caught in the act of a candid display
or slanted and crafted meticulously.

It’s a near-lost art form—
the contrasting balance
of darkness and light;
the chiaroscuro divide
between true likeness and feinting.

So crucial it is then
to always consider—
a pipe is not a pipe
when it is no more than a painting.

© Joseph Chin
#deception #fake #fakenews #propaganda #mindcontrol