Have you heard the banter of
he said, she said, they said, what-
gossip in the vestibule; duty taken, final cut
as a wrestle match between
butt out! and
OMG,
say what?
I battle from within; and though I try to fight it, the second wins.
"No, this can't be true- John Boy really is a girl?"
The women in their element gasp aloud, their noses curl
as I hide behind the paper, headline news- another day;
"I guess that makes him unisex," I hear the women say
wishing I'd listened to my first internal hunch
to mind my own business, let the ignorant eat their lunch.
Prompt inspirations:
Imaginary Gardens-
Kerry's Wednesday Challenge- Internal Monologue
3WW- banter, duty, element
Ha! Yes, the toe-curling pain of some conversations overheard! I love the way you finished this one off; the whole is written with great flair.
ReplyDeleteWonderful - a great critique and lesson on why one should try to not eavesdrop (even unintentionally)!
ReplyDeleteSome of the things one hears accidentally can cause embarrassment to the innocent listener - or fury - or laughter - or pain. Awkward, isn't it!
ReplyDeleteSo many conversations seep into our ears..speaking without thought..i guess some are born to exhale..loudly..and others to inhale..quietly and hopefully with more dignity..jae
ReplyDeleteYour poem, Laurie, reminds me that Norman Rockwell caught the nature of this beast a long time ago in one of his works. Years have passed but human nature stays the same, it seems.:)
ReplyDeleteLoved this one, kiddo......hilarity with such pizzazz!
ReplyDeletethe conversations can be funny or interesting but always food for writing.
ReplyDeleteYou are getting to be quite the stand-up comic of human moments! I can imagine you performing this.
ReplyDeleteHow well I know the wrestling! It helps that now I have no time. But this little gem! It is worth the pains to have these remains. Very fine.
Oh....gossip overheard can be a killer.
ReplyDeleteYou are really really writing up a whirlwind of a storm these days Laurie! Keep it up :)
oy yep...happens much....everyone want to tell someone about someone else...as long as its not them eh? ha....i would rather no know it unless it keeps me safe...
ReplyDeleteLoved this one ... gossips can be dangerous at times ... well done !!!
ReplyDeletelol
ReplyDeleteLove "let the ignorant eat their lunch" I hear too many of these conversations.
ReplyDeletecannot stand the gossip, more of a woman thing I think though I know men do too. I have enough of my own to worry about without talking about others.
ReplyDeleteGossip is an evil evil addiction--I have to fight it all the time because it's terribly hard *not* to listen, then pretty soon you're talking, and ugh! It brings out the worst in everyone after a certain point--there's a level where it's harmless, but that's just a gateway drug! Great one, Laurie.
ReplyDeleteI would rather be the last to know...oh well, it makes some people happy and more exciting if they gossip though ~ Nice one ~
ReplyDeleteThe problem is with this sort of activity is that you are in the wrong for being within earshot. So you dare not say "I can hear every word" as you will be the guilty party in their eyes.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to think that once we reach a 'certain age' gossip stops, but I'd just be dreaming wouldn't I?
ReplyDeleteGreat write.
Ya, people don't realize how their voices carry sometimes, I don't think. If they only knew, I think they might reconsider their subject matter in public. A thought-provoking write here, Laurie.
ReplyDeleteGossip reign aloud
ReplyDeleteShould we listen, cry or pout
Release the dogs now!
I'm giggling at "noses curl"--been there, seen that. Loved this poem.
ReplyDeleteYep, wow some conversations I've overheard.... people talk about some weird things :D Great poem! :D
ReplyDeleteIt's so hard for me to keep my mouth shut when I hear something untrue. But sometimes it's impossible to talk sense into someone who enjoys the lies.
ReplyDeleteOh so true ... let the ignorant each their lunch ... however, at times, it is nearly impossible to pay attention to my own thoughts, when others are so loud with theirs. Guess I should carry earplugs!!! Nice write!!
ReplyDeleteEmpty talk can be engaging depending on the crowd. Some have time for it! Nicely Laurie!
ReplyDeleteHank
Oh girl, you made my nose curl--love it! We're wired for sound--can't help overhearing that stuff. Excellent, fun poem!
ReplyDeleteSo funny because it's true! I generally eat my lunch alone so I don't fall into that trap.
ReplyDeleteFabulous, Laurie. I laughed and laughed, which I really needed because I haven't been feeling well today.
ReplyDeleteK
Oh, Laurie...comically done while still demonstrating a great point! This is the very same reason why I ignore all those awful star magazines...they are literal gossip rather than the audible conversation...in print. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteI wish I understood it...the need to gossip...the need to be in the know. It really is an interesting thing.
ReplyDelete"butt out! and OMG, say what?"...definitely a tough battle.