A secret is not a secret

A secret is not a secret

If nobody knows

It is an unknown

Not hidden or kept

But nonexistent

It is in the act of knowing

That it becomes

Acquired knowledge

Kept in confidence

Carefully stored

But in the sharing

It is given oxygen

To breathe

The life it acquires

Can burn as wildfire

In a hot dry wind

Imbue the knowledgeable

With the power

Of secrets

As literate priests

Laid claim to religion

In the middle ages

And beyond

Organising cupboards

Full of skeletons

Imbuing themselves

With status

Keepers of the flame

Brokers of wisdom

Lawmakers

Freedom takers

Holders of classified truth

Transposers of meaning

Elevating secrecy

Above and beyond

Creating a system

Of belief

Dependent on a

Carefully constructed

Notion of partially

Revealed secrets

Reifying them

As the norm

Punishing non-believers

And exposing

Whistleblowers

To ex-communication