POEM: No Body's Friend

My name is Gossip. I have no respect for justice. I maim without killing, I break hearts and ruin lives.

I am cunning and malicious and gather strength with age.

The more I am quoted, the more I am believed.

I flourish at every level of society.

My victims are helpless. They cannot protect themselves against me because I have no name and no face.

To track me down is impossible. The harder you try, the more elusive I become. I am nobody's friend!

Once I tarnish a reputation, it is never the same.

I topple governments and kill friends. I even wreck marriages.

I ruin careers and cause sleepless nights, heartache and indigestion.

I spawn suspicion and generate grief.

I make innocent people cry on their pillows.

Even my name hisses. I am called gossip, party gossip, telephone gossip, and don't forget, Church gossssip.

I make headlines and headaches.

Before you repeat a story, ask yourself, is it necessary? If not, SHUT UP!