Over A Cup of Tea

the grapevine spills it all in the local tea room.

 

OVER A CUP OF TEA.

 

I thought I’d sit and write a poem

Or anything else for that matter

But all I did was sip tea and eat

While listening to other folk’s chatter.

 

 

 

They talked about the weather

And husbands, wives and kids

Moaned about public transport

And with twitchy smiles confessed

They "really hated the boss, their job

and wished that they could quit."

 

 

 

The lady in brown, twittered like a sparrow

"That car is a bother, It wouldn’t start

and when it did, it just stopped .

Three times, three times this week

I wish I could just leave it in the creek"

she nodded twittering away to no one in particular.

 

 

 

Two well-dressed women sat at the table next to mine

and the older one leaned forward with a glint in her eye,

"You know I’m not one to gossip dear, but have you heard

young Sally’s pregnant! Yes, it’s true , you know I don’t lie

it just isn’t right, she’s only sixteen and not a husband in sight

And did you hear about Tommy?

Well, I ask you.

I always thought there was something queer about that boy ,

Yes dear, it’s his complexion, he’s always looked pale

But now, he is very ‘ghost like; I heard he’s been sniffin glue

Really! What’s that you say, he’s just come out of jail . Drugs, was it.

Well I never! Mind you I always said he was a silly boy but drugs"

and she bobbed her head and muttered into her tea cup.

 

 

 

A high pitched voice cut through the clatter

like a hot knife sliding through butter

"Mary left John! What are you talking about.?"

They were at the counter behind me, waiting to pay

A blonde was giggling, beginning to sway

Beside a red head swathed in a tight mini skirt

And then she spoke up with an all telling smirk

"Well, every one knows she fancied his brother.

the red head chipped in " she was telling her mother

That John wasn’t right in the head,

that he’d rather cuddle his old teddy in bed

Then nodding and smiling they paid their bill

Then got in their car and drove up the hill.

 

 

 

But think of the news that came my way

Just sitting and sipping like time didn’t matter

And keeping my ears peeled for other folks’ chatter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ã Jen-JG 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author's Note

a bit of fun - say anything you wish.......

Reviews

[cyanskye]

What a lot of fun. I think the idea is marvelous and I like the change in flow as each different character speaks. I think the conversation between the "two well-dressed women" and the conversation of the blonde and the red-head could be tightend up a bit to emphasize their cattiness. Remind me to not sit behind you, next time I go out for tea!! ;)

[DarkIriswriter]

This poem ia very true at heart, you always want to hear other peoples conversations when you are out in public. the commotion of conversations can be hard to follow if you catch my drift. Gossip is the essential way of life and everyone does it one point in their very lifes.It the way other communicate with each other.Great write!

Sara

[Antony]

How very true this little poem is, I call it being alert, just sitting back not saying a word, my my, what information we can gather, with our eyes and ears, never the need to participate in any of it, kind of like a psychiatrist, who just listens and observes. This made me smile Jen, thanks for sending it my way.
Antony

[Nick Erickson]

The imagery in this was excellent as I felt like I had a cup of tea, sitting silently beside you. I could see the patrons in all their glory, quietly "not gossiping" about everything and everyone they knew. It is amazing at how much you can "hear" by simply sitting silently.
Well done Jen.

[None]

Another amazing poem to showcase your talents! I like how you could form this based on chatter and I love your title. I can see you sitting back drinking your tea thinking...hmmmm...sounds like a poem! I'm speculating here but the important thing is, you wrote this wonderful poem. Great outlining of character traits here.
Cheers!