"It’s the Absolute Truth!" (scuttlebutt)

Welsh Clogyrnach (see Author's Note)

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"It’s the Absolute Truth!"

It’s said of the rich, “They can’t dance.”

The poet? “He don’t stand a chance.”

“It’s nonsense,” I say,

“there's no easy way

to defray

what’s askance!”

Let’s consider all that’s been spread,

how such mistruth ever gets fed.

Well, Jennie told Sue

what Emily knew,

and it’s true!

"Just ask Fred.”

I did … he denied that it’s so;

asked, “How’n hell does such crap grow?”

“I’m confused, as-well.

I really can’t tell.”

In a nutshell,

“who can know?”

Richard W. Jenkins

©2023

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Author's Note

Artwork: The Truth About Edna, by Shelly Wilkington

Clogyrnach
(Clōg-ur-nŏk)
One of the twenty-four traditional Welsh 'meters'.
The Clogyrnach, a diminishing syllable sestet or quintain.
Line counts 8-8-5-5-3-3 syllables.
The two final three syllable lines may, if desired, be written as one six syllable line.
A three stanza minimum is traditional and desired, but only one is required.
Can be about any topic, with no limit in number of stanzas.

Line 1: 8 syllables, rhyme a
Line 2: 8 syllables, rhyme a
Line 3: 5 syllables, rhyme b
Line 4: 5 syllables, rhyme b
Line 5: 3 syllables, rhyme b*
Line 6: 3 syllables, rhyme a

Further stanza Rhyme Schemes:
c,c,d,d,d,c / e,e,f,f,f,e, etc…
*(penultimate line, 4-syllables … poet-license).😏

All honest, well-meant critique is welcomed and appreciated. ✍🏼

Reviews

[Betty Hermelee]

This poem is very well penned Richard….and quite clever as well… it seems to me the the rich and the poets are being picked on for not being able to dance… and we all know how rumors spread and get twisted and turned as they spread from person to person…. Well done!
Best, B

[Richard🖌]

Ahoy, Lady Betty! ⛵

Aargh, Mate! Thought I saw ya bobbin' along, singin' a song about the latest scuttlebutt around town. 😳
You're so sweet to praise my humble little efforts, and ever-so kind to share your mind on the wisdom of how rumors passed along tend to end all wrong.
So, let's put it on the shelf, keep it to ourself, 'n not be a busy bee … whatta ya say, just for today? 🐝

Hugs 'n New Year Blessings, M'Dear! ⁓ Richard ⚓

[Betty Hermelee]

Of course I would praise you all the time!!! I love your writing and you're very welcome dear Richard!
Best, B

[Relic]

I've been guilty of gossiping in the past. I admit it. But no longer. Great poem Richard, and By the way, did you hear about go.....well, nevermind.

"Sweep in front of your own door." German proverb. :)

[Richard🖌]

Hah!

Haven't we all, Tim … it's one of the OOPS! ways we learn to bear better witness. 😏
Wise German advice, My Fine Friend … more of us should follow.

Danka! ⁓ Richard🖌

[Susan 🦋]

Fun little form and a witty little write! Nothing good comes from gossiping! Nope. That illustration is too funny😂

[Richard🖌]

Psst!

A little bird told me, so it has to be true.
Actually, it was Myrtle chatting over the back fence, but we'll not pass along any names, eh? Wouldn't want anyone to know. So, keep it to yourself, and I know you will … SURE!!!
I thought you'd get a kick out of that rather strange artwork.

Keep a tight lip, now … ya hear, M'Dear? ⁓ Richard🖌

[Ken Simm.]

Such defined structure does not usually interest me unless it is essential to the subject. But here I find the wit and whimsey is strengthened by such strict form. And as such I really enjoyed this write. It actually seemed to me that the structure continued to make the layered points in the whimsical piece.
To me the subject worked together with the nonsense type element of what is a quite pertinant poem. So to be truthful although I didn't really need to know such much about the form. I still enjoyed it.

[Richard🖌]

Salutations, Syr Ken!

Despite your obvious disdain for structured poetry, how rewarding it is to know you were able to wade through it all and find some wee vestige of enjoyment.
As a teacher of poetry, the directives of the form used is included for those who might wish to try it, and to better understand it while reading.
Your review has left me feeling both beat-up and rewarded … LOL!

Thanks, my friend … peace 'n happiness to you throughout the new year! ⁓ Richard🖌

[Ken Simm.]

You are more than welcome. Please don't feel beat up. I honestly enjoyed you being Learish.

[Richard🖌]

"Learish" … what does that mean?
As in King Lear, perhaps?

[Richard🖌]

Maybe, Edward Lear?

[Richard🖌]

I think it's just a rumor started by some Scottish poet. 🙃

[Ken Simm.]

Edward not William.

[lightsong]

lol the photo both hilarious and creepy, even the Cat is shocked by how crazy the humans' behaviors can be. True, no one no matter whom they are, rich or poor, poet or scientist, famous or none... no one can escape the crap of gossiping. sometime it becomes awful and ugly. also, it is a way to control people, spread a rumor and see all the mess and war that can be built among them. I like the style, it rings fast and goes perfectly along your theme.

[Richard🖌]

Fantastic, Ghounwah! 👍

You've ht the nail square on the head … how uncanny it is how you always grasp exactly what my poetic attempts are trying to convey; plus, you are able to express it all even deeper, and that's no rumor.

I often marvel at your keen insights.
Yes, this traditional Welsh style/form (1 of 24) can be traced back as far the 15th century.

Thank you ever-so warmly and gratefully for your most wonderful review … happy hugs to You! ⁓ Richard🖌

[lightsong]

You honer me deeply Syr😊 but when it comes to expressing with depth and clarity, sorry it must be YOU and that's no rumor :>

warm wishes, bright blessings, and happy hugs*

[Richard🖌]

*لا يزال لديك تلك اللمسة الخاصة التي تثير الإعجاب

[lightsong]

Smiling :>

شكرا سيدي العزيز*

[Richard🖌]

أنحني بترقب عند قدميك السماوية

[lightsong]

Blushing* ✨🤍✨

[Richard🖌]

غمزة دافئة دافئة*

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

This so epitomizes our society today. People are driven by untruths, drama, and looking for the worst in every situation. Nice to see you writing. :-)

[Richard🖌]

Hi again, Linda Marie 🐝

Busy bee rumormongering can cause more damage for the subject under assailment than the perpetrator might imagine, but they're so wrapped-up in their importance of the moment they just can't seem to give-in to their sense of true justice and honesty.
They'll learn soon enough, when their callous actions come back around to bite them in the butt.
Two reads 'n reviews in a row from You … I'm sooo very happy to receive them; thank you sincerely for sharing my humble poetic efforts.
Had a hankering to play around with some of my rare ancestral Welsh forms … hope you've enjoyed them.

BTW … I love how your mind works and your insights perceive deeper meanings so clearly.

Thank you ever-so warmly, Linda Marie! ⁓ Richard🖌