They asked if I was removing sweetness…
while I was only avoiding deception.

The deception of masking everything with sugar.

Why must I sweeten every truth
just because comfort is familiar to you?

Are we meant to accept comfort,
or simply deny what is unpleasant?

Why must every flavor change
just because you have a sweet tooth?

Tell me—if one day your tears taste salty,
will you add sugar to those too?

—Aditi Hayaran (Larkspur)