Guess What I Heard

The Baker peered in my direction
And slyly beckoned me this day.
With no current held objections...
I moved to hear what he might say.

He told a tale both rough and course
That seemed improbable at best.
I quizzed him on his trusted source
To the story so addressed.

He had met a Sailor man well-seasoned
With a reputation none too kind.
Who was devoid of rhyme and reason
And therefore clear of thought and mind.

He told the most compelling story
Shaking the Baker to his core.
Who tearfully put away all former glory
Knowing what the future had in store.

The Sailor had heard it from his Mailman
Who had heard it from his Wife...
Who had heard it from a Handyman
Who was sharpening all their knives.

The Handyman in some diffidence
Told the Woman to behave.
Making her swear an oath of ignorance
And so take the secret to her grave.

The Woman broke her oath directly
And the story passed up the verbal chain.
Whether it was regurgitated correctly 
Is at best a children's game?

I must profess some bit of uneasiness
As the story changed my world view.
Leaving me in a state of constant queasiness...
Now unsure what I should do.

But my expectations were exceeded
With the tale supported by the Evening News.
It was all the evidence I needed...
To know the story wasn't true.

                       The End

*Follow my cartoon at Webtoon Bob's Your Uncle
Copyright © | Year Posted 2021

Poem

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Buehler Avatar
June 12, 2021 at 8:24 PM
What a relief that the dreadful story was fiction! Too bad the evening news can't be trusted, though. Excellent writing, David. Evelyn
Mchattie Avatar
June 13, 2021 at 2:39 PM
I wish all bad news was fiction. But such are the times we live in. Stay well my friend.
Wolf Avatar
June 7, 2021 at 3:43 PM
lol. Superb!! Touche! Bulls-eye. You can shoot apples off my head anyday, man! Great write, David. Smiles, Gershon
Mchattie Avatar
June 8, 2021 at 4:48 PM
The media is easy pickin's. They don't even try to hide their bias anymore. Not great for democracy. Stay frosty.
Romios Avatar
June 7, 2021 at 1:57 PM
Hi David...very common on the media. Any media. I can relate to this, all to well Great Poem, Pangie xxT
Mchattie Avatar
June 8, 2021 at 4:46 PM
The media is a shadow of its former self. Some people still don't get it. Just because someone says something doesn't make it true. Stay well my friend.
Ball Avatar
June 6, 2021 at 10:09 PM
That gossip for you. You hear a story and you tell a friend and he/she tells a friend and so on and so one and pretty soon it's nowhere near the original story and the person who first told it doesn't even recognize it anymore. Good one David, write on. God Bless, JB
Mchattie Avatar
June 8, 2021 at 4:44 PM
Gossip has a bountiful amount of misplaced energy that would do much good if used elsewhere. But such are the way of things. Have a great day.
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