Gossip

   Mommamindy's blog post  with a tract on gossip inspires me to post a poem I wrote a couple years ago. Mindy addressed speaking gossip.  My poem is about listening to it.

Gossip

After I have listened

                        to gossip for an hour,

Vainly I imagine

                        that I’ve escaped its power.

Totally unconscious,

                        I drank in every word;

Soaked up all the passion

                        of everything I heard.

Thinking I’m impartial,

                        I never really dream

Someone I have honored

                        is losing my esteem.

Haven’t I intended

                        to vindicate my friend?

Haven’t I attempted

                        his motives to defend;

Spoken of his virtue,

                        and taken up his part?

Yet insinuations

                        were pressed upon my heart.

All I’ve said is nothing

                        but lame apology,

Not to be compared to

                        the vile effect on me.