Nobody's Friend

My name is Gossip.

I have no respect for justice.

I break hearts and ruin lives.

I am cunning, 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 wreck marriages.
I ruin careers and cause sleepless nights, heartaches and indigestion.

I spawn suspicion and generate grief.
I make innocent people cry in their pillows.

Even my name hisses.

I am called GOSSIP.

Office gossip
Shop gossip
Party gossip
Telephone gossip

I make headlines and headaches.

REMEMBER, when you repeat a story, ask yourself:

is it true?
Is it fair?
Is it necessary??
If not, do not repeat it.