It begins with a rumor,
a cluster of individuals huddled together;
a little taste of something delicious,
and how one embellishes to make it better.
Give it a turn or two, it possesses the power
to compromise the truth—
as though flow of water
which weakens the pillars supporting a roof.
Feed it the nectar of luscious lips,
watch
as conversation resumes in corners— thick as blood,
it can easily spread
through a settled community; forming
a sort of contagion effect.
A rumor full of fire slowly goes away
and all that’s left are ashes—
I wonder how the cream-white moon grinding its teeth
feels knowing the unfortunate believe
without
sparing a second thought— a rumor is unfounded;
can we hope to listen and rise above it?
Photo credits: Artwork by Stephan Parylak
Magaly invites us to write Poetry or Prose inspired by the idea of “Contagion.” Come join us! 📝
A Skylover Wordlist: cream, teeth,
listen 💝
Oh, what an excellent choice of the kind of contagion to address, and how excellently described.
I love ‘the cream-white moon grinding it teeth’.
Thank you so much, Rosemary 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️
A more salubrious kind of contagion, Sanaa! I love the image of ‘the cream-white moon grinding its teeth’. Oh, those rumours!
Thank you so much, Kim 🙂 so glad you liked it 💄❤️
I loved this Sanaa. Sadly people are not always happy to accept the truth and so believe in nonsense rather than be disappointed. Humans are a very poor example of wild animals who tend to seek the wisest way rather than the most comfortable one, like us! The moon meanwhile has to observe our stupidity
Definitely 🙂 thanks for stopping by, Robin 💄❤️
This is one of the reasons I feel like quitting social media sometimes. People posting memes as if they were facts and all it takes is a quick google search to debunk it. I’ve seen it from all over the political spectrum, and it disgusts me every time. I’m right there grinding my teeth along with the moon.
Thank you so much, Rommy 😀 so glad the poem resonated with you 💄❤️
I try to believe everything – EVERYTHING – I see online. Are you saying that might be a mistake?
It happens to the best of us 💄❤️
Perfect choice for your first line. It reads almost innocent. But the ominousness of the tone starts prickling the skin, reminding us that said innocence is just a trap when it comes to rumor. If we open our mouths, it feeds on our souls, and then it spreads.
May we listen… and rise above it.
Thank you so much, Magaly 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️
(and thank you for the glorious prompt) 🌹
Gossip, rumour, and today fake news in whatever form or term this monster remains a monster
Poignant write Sanaa
Much❤love
Thank you so much, Gillena 😀 so glad you liked it 💄❤️
Much love …
On point, Sanaa. A rumor certainly fits the prompt for a contagion.
“the unfortunate believe
without
sparing a second thought”
The unfortunate that believe such things spread it to the unfortunate victims as well.
Thank you so much, Joel 🙂 so good to see you 💄❤️
This is one of the worst contagions I can think of… and how it grows from fluff into something barb-wired and vicious… humans can do each other so much harm
Thank you so much, Bjorn 🙂 so glad the poem resonated with you 💄❤️
This reminded me of the tenor in the U.S. and the example of hate and discontent that seems to be sweeping the country.
Thank you so much, Beverly 🙂 so glad the poem spoke to you 💄❤️
Remember how cruel other children were during our school days? Then for a time, post-college, we do mature, we do “rise above it”; the comes retirement, with its conclave of whispering groups, and we seem to regress emotionally.
I guess I was thinking about those days and remembering the cruelty subconsciously while writing this poem. Thank you so much, Glenn 🙂 so glad you liked it 💄❤️
I like your description of a rumor as a contagion that we may not be able to rise above.
Thank you so much, Frank 🙂 so good to see you 💄❤️
Very well sculpted piece, as ever Sanna – it is truly the essence pf the process and how it flows you capture so skilfully here…
Thank you so much, Scott 😀 so glad you liked it 💄❤️
Yes, rumours and sculduggery are an ugly part of life.
Definitely 🙂 thanks for stopping by, Rall 💄❤️
Seedy are the seeds of gossip, that always seem to find a fertile ground to sprout and grow 🙁
Thank you so much, Jade 🙂 so glad the poem resonated with you 💄❤️
A rumor unfounded can be devastating. I love this part:
A rumor full of fire slowly goes away
and all that’s left are ashes—
Thank you so much, Grace 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️
Love this, and it’s very timely as well!
Thank you so much, L. Stevens 😀 so glad you liked it 💄❤️
Rumors are a perfect topic for a contagion.
Definitely 🙂 thanks for stopping by, Teresa 💄❤️
So very, and sadly, true. And beautifully described.
Thank you so much, Anthony 🙂 so glad you liked it 💄❤️
As always enticing!!!
Thank you so much, Vandana 😀 so good to see you 💄❤️
“It begins with a rumor” I adore that opening line, Sanaa. Its ominousness pulls you right in and you follow through with it beautifully.
“A rumor full of fire slowly goes away
and all that’s left are ashes—” <– loved that!
Thank you so much, Raivenne 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️
Spot on Sanaa.
Rumour – a terrible dangerous contagion.
Anna :o]
Thank you so much, Anna 😀 so glad the poem resonated with you 💄❤️
Rumors can truly be devastating leaving as you say only ashes in the end. Gossip is like putting a little red pepper on a sandwich of rhumors thinking it makes it taste so much better! Well Done!
Absolutely! 💄❤️ Thank you so much, Dwight 🙂 so glad you liked it!💄❤️
Unfortunately, rumors can spread so quickly and create disastrous outcomes for many people. A great topic.
Thank you so much, Alicia 😀 so good to see you 💄❤️
So many tragedies started with just a bit of rumor. Your opening line is brilliant.
Thank you so much, Lore 🙂 so glad you liked it 💄❤️
“misinformation followed us like a plague” ..Paul Simon
This is an excellent poem, Sanaa, captures the feverishness and velocity of a viral rumour!
Thank you so much, Jim 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️
I’d say the most damaging contagion in circulation, what you address here in your great poem.. Hope we can rise above it, just that it mutates and attacks our emotions and leaves people confused as news are rumours. Seemingly opposite sides, the same contagion. Bravo!
Thank you so much, Julian 🙂 so glad the poem resonated with you 💄❤️
Gossip and rumors have always been part of human society, but social media has made it worse–or at least allow rumors to spread more rapidly. I like the way your poem makes the analogy with contagion–the conversation “thick as blood.” Like others I also like that moon! 🙂
Thank you so much, Merril 😀 so glad you liked it 💄❤️