Gossip Poem by Sophia White

Taste the News, the juicy words
They roll so pleasantly across the tongue
Such delight, satisfaction, in the Knowing.
A furtive giggle, a sly glance, oft askance,
Oh, feel the inward pleasure therein derived!
Pass it on – only one person – tell them:
‘A secret! Don’t tell anyone.’
You know better, as does your confidant.
For the next day, the headlines blare the News.
You look away, ‘Well, I never! You don’t say! ’
But there beneath the façade of shock, smug smile.
And the deep, ling’ring joy of having the honor
Of being the First One to Tell!
And you don’t see the eyes, the aching eyes,
On the pained and tearstreaked face
Of the one of whom you gossiped.