Rumours..

Better to await the facts before deciding...

A rumour is a social cancer
not the definitive answer
and very difficult to contain

It makes silly asses
of countless masses.
on entering the brain

And what is stranger
adding to the danger
these rumours seem like fun

Hence spreading infection.
of invidious deception
without a smoking gun

If rumour is part truth
only a clever sleuth
can pinpoint its source

Thus it spreads profuse
like Chinese whispers, let loose
mutating, into topical discourse

So don't bite a poisonous apple
or, in idle gossip dabble
for both are subterfuge

Question a rumour's validity
to counter its morbidity
and avoid looking like a stooge

Trust to wise judgement
should a rumour augment
then nip it in the bud

For ignorance is bliss
and what's more, is this
Red not green, the colour of your blood !

Author's Note

Trust your own ability !

Reviews

[Eliee]

You've laid out the rhyme scheme beautifully! each stanza holds its own and they've flown together beautifully. Nothing made me pause until the very end, where the last line was a bit longer and had a bit of a different beat to it.

I don't rhyme well, so it is always a pleasure to read poems that have a strong structure.

As for the content I could not agree more. Rumors are essentially the structure of all of us these days. Rumor and reputation. We tend to focus negatively on what we call rumors but there can also be good rumors that we depend on. Especially in school as you'd want kids talking about how cool and awesome you are, weather you've done all of the things they claim you have or not.

Your work has instilled some thought into rumor and for that I thank you!

[Tom]

And a belated thank you to you for your very articulate review!

[Alisa Js]

Aloha Tom,

True words of wisdom contained within your well written piece. Thank you for taking the time to read my work!

I shall return.

Alisa

[Tom]

Thank you Alisa for your welcome words and visit!

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Ahh, an excellent subtle, humorous, satiric, poetic diatribe warning rumor-mongers. Perfect form, cadence and rhyme. Perfect theme! Love the doggy picture too! "Nip it in the bud"- I agree totally. Kudos!

[Tom]

You are indeed an interpreter extraordinaire, thank you my friend!

[DIVYA]

Tom, I love the brilliant way you hit upon on all the bad characteristics of gossip and rumor. A social cancer, mutating, spreading. My favorite verse follows:

"Hence spreading infection.
of invidious deception
without a smoking gun"

A great message, with a big punch!

[Tom]

Yes indeed so Divya, and quite often spawned from nothing more than jealousy..thanks again my dear friend!

[/]

Rumour is part truth. That line sticks out for me. I've seen rumours become something more than they started out as making them a erroneous by the time they spread around. They're no good for anyone. I like the way you related that.

[Tom]

Yes, good analogy, thank you Bo!

[Carol Cashes]

This is brilliant. The last line? Genius. Well done...well done.

[Tom]

Thank you Carol for your zenith appraisal & approval!

[Poetic Beauty]

Rumors whether great or small can do much hard spreading like Ebola in small quarters.

[Tom]

They sure can and what a surperb simile to reinforce the point, thank you poetic beauty!

[AprilRN1210]

you managed to take a very serious and damaging subject and interjected fun in a playful rhythm. Most don't realize how deep rumors can not only hurt others but your own soul. that negativity breeds karma whether intentional or not. I really enjoyed this one.

[Tom]

Thank you April, they do indeed have a negative and divisive way of causing harm, self doubt and insecurity, quite often jealousy has a lot to do with their source.

[AprilRN1210]

couldn't have said it better- that is almost always the source. you're welcome :)

[rowan.taylorrr]

knowing how high school is, this piece is very true. it is very hard to go through at a using age as a teen, but it spreads rapidly. well done

[Tom]

Thank you friend!

[Dr. YumnaKay]

A very realistically written composition on the rumour factor which has gripped the entire world especially the young generation. Loved the flow and your writing style. Simple but captivating :)

[Tom]

Thank you my friend!

[Dr. YumnaKay]

You are welcome ☺