To Sow a Rotten Seed

Do you gossip? Tell lies? This character learns a hard lesson.

"Please open up! Please open up!
It’s your friend! It’s me!
I must tell you something,
and it’s a tragedy!"

You thrust the door wide open,
usher me inside,
draw out a vintage brandy,
incite me to confide.

I rattle off a web of lies
that in my mind I’ve spun.
I indicate I must go now,
but please don’t tell, not one.

I amble down the sidewalk
and by the time I’m through,
three people have approached me,
“I’ve heard of your hoodoo.”

I tell them each: “Don’t worry now,
because those words are skewed.
Ev’ry statement of that story
my imagination brewed.”

I go back to my “friend’s” house,
confide the story wasn’t true.
“Your deceit surpasses ethics.
I was only testing you.”

She grips her armchair tightly.
Her face is in a fit.
“Let me show you ethics,
you treacherous little twit.

“You fabricate a story,
feign emotions of distress,
and I’ve reached out for prayer,
for you I want to bless.

“I have mentioned not a peep
the details of your pain.
I’ve only asked my friends to pray
good tidings for your gain.”

As I sit across from her,
embarassed by my deed.
Shame creeps from my toes to face,
I’ve sown a rotten seed.

I rise up from my chair
and grunt apologies.
Tonight I will be pleading
for mercy on my knees.


**Author’s Note: This is fiction, and not a personal tale.**