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!

[Valentine]

With the younger set Facebook is becoming a gossip mill for teens. Many teens from church have been attacked and bullied in it. Like you say, learn the facts and do not spread rumors. Why even spread truthful things that only hurt people. Valentine

[Tom]

A fact indeed Valentine & thanks for commenting!

[ReedWrite]

I loved the flow, and how you drew out the concept with words that tweaked both imagination and reality. I enjoyed the poem very much. Thank you for posting it.

[Tom]

Thanks you for your visit and encouraging comment !

[Sami Khalil]

So true and marvelously laid out for all to see and understand this truth about rumours and their effect on us all. Wise words for us all...:)...........

[Tom]

Muchas gracias my friend !

[Sami Khalil]

Denada, Amigo....

[Joy Carver]

I enjoyed the rhyming of this piece. Very easy to follow and covers a topic that has been around way befor social media. Rumors have always caused distress and destruction. Very enjoyable for me.

[Tom]

Thank you your welcome visit and meaningful words Joy !

[marilyn 1225]

your talent is abundant... and a wise lesson about gossip... man's fatal flaw
woman's too

[Tom]

Thank you friend

[Sophie]

The flow is nice and the words are laid out in a clever way. Personally I like poems to be a little more simple, but this was not difficult to understand.
Very good rhyming!

[Tom]

Thank you Sophie !

[Davidgeo]

In the social world I don't think facts really exist, just a bunch of things to be interpreted.

A good poem for kids on social media. It stays on the surface too much for my taste; also it starts to sound a bit pretentious as it goes, but that's just my interpretation. Could be worse, should be better.

[Tom]

Thank you for your visit and constructive critique !

[Schatzi]

Hi Tom!

I found your poem quite spot on and entertaining, just the way I like them! Great job and thanks for sharing.

Kind regards,

Schatzi

[Tom]

Thank you Schatzi !

[Philip Muls]

Very true Tom. Too much drama, too much speculation. Rumours are fueling distrust.

Well said.

[Elmarie]

This poem was well put together and is a very real message to not fall in to the trap. It reminds me of the time I did believe silly rumors and was red faced at mistrusting a dear friend - the truth of the matter is always going to the source of the Tall tale. I feel you nailed it and I will subscribe to your writing. Thank you :)

[Tom]

Thank you Elmarie !