Harmless Gossip?

poem in rhyming quatrains

 

Harmless Gossip?

 

An avenue of stately trees

whose branches meet high overhead

exchanging gossip with the breeze.

This is the way that rumours spread.

 

 When lovers stroll beneath the moon.

The trees observe their every move.

They dance to day to the same tune

their forbears danced to when in love.

 

Though fashions change, some things do not.

The trees have seen it all before.

All that they’ve seen is not forgot

 but added the their growing store

 

of gossip which the trees then share

 with every passing breeze that blows.
The trees will spread it everywhere

 to all and sundry I suppose.

 

Be very careful what you do.

Although no one can see.

Know that the trees are watching you

 and they will share quite happily.

 

Everything that they have seen

with any breeze that happens by.

With consequences unforeseen

By trees and breeze or you and I.

 

When strolling in a moon lit glade

Beware the moons soft silver rays.

That stir the blood of man and maid

 to think this is the time and place.

 

19/09/2009

http:// blog.myspace.com/poeticpiers

Reviews

[Helen Woodward]

Good use of metaphors. My mother always said to us "Don't do anything wrong, I have spies watching you" So we were always well behaved and looking over our shoulder, she also said "You can't hide anything from God"
Very wise woman was she.
I am not missing your point here and the use of nature to make it...Gossip is never harmless, it is a vile practice.
Well defined...

Helen :)

[LisetteCanWrite!]

No gossip is productive or a good way to climb a social ladder.. Gossip is laced with Karma.. as they say what comes around .. goes around. Like the whispering breezes within the trees.. which was a great depiction.. very profound way to place it.. I picture a willow and when the winds blow stronger.. those branches make a big mess! The weeping tree is one we like to think of as such a sad one.. beautiful but alot of maintenance!

There's no question about it.. the ones who do gossip.. have it come back. The reason is simple.. the ones they spread the gossip to.. know they can't trust the distributor farther than they can throw them.. and thus no one feels badly about spreading gossip about them next in line. It's a vicious cycle of getting even.. not a game.. and it not only maims and hurts.. it can destroy people's self-esteem and dignity. Still can't get away from it though.. it's all around.. all you can do is not relay it forward if you are against it and someone says something damaging. Gossip certainly shows that some people lack communication skills and the ability to make real conversation today. .. surely talking about the weather is better than having the scoop. (in my eyes) Great work.. great rant full of wisdom!

[Jenny Nelson]

I love the use of trees here. It makes so much sense considering how old many are. A very artistic and entertaining way to warn people to watch what they do or say, especially if they think it won't be found out by others, which, as you point out so well, is pretty unlikely.

[Tate Morgan]

Beautiful just beautiful Second stanza third line to day or today which is correct?
tate