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Small Town Mentality

She was a pretty girl with long brown hair
But I just didn't want to settle down
I was honest with her because I care 
Went to meet her for the last time in town.

With teary eyes she said that she loved me
All she wanted was to be by my side
Told her gently I wanted to be free
She went home and committed suicide.

The gossip mill turned said I was to blame
Why couldn't it have been me that had died
They expected me to bow down in shame
And would ask why I hadn't even cried. 

Then some lowlifes tried to burn my house down 
That was enough; I packed up and left town.

Written 11th September 2020.

Copyright © Tom Cunningham | Year Posted 2020

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Indiana Shaw Date: 2/1/2021 11:48:00 PM So many comments, Tom, but; the fact is loving someone does not give you the right to own them, what if it was the other way round and the chap married her to keep her happy, then through his own unhappiness committed suicide further down the line, a no win situation when it comes to the gossips, I fear, an amazing sonnet by all accounts . . . Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 2/2/2021 7:17:00 AM Thank you very much Indiana, you often see people jumping the gun and reaching the wrong conclusion, get all the facts before opening your mouth, that's what I adhere to Once spoken its out there with no way to retrieve it. Tom

Anisha Dutta Date: 9/22/2020 11:26:00 AM I agree with you. Everyone has free will not to be influenced. It is also true, people in small town peep to personal affairs of others. Tragic event. But surely you are not responsible. Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 9/22/2020 11:32:00 AM Thank you Anisha, narrow minded people in small towns take it on themselves to be judge and jury. No surprising that many folks leave. Tom

Jennifer Proxenos Date: 9/19/2020 9:30:00 AM Small towns and small ethnic groups no matter what color creed or nation they are from gossip a great deal - best thing is for one to pack and leave - great write Tom - love it , sad - but as Mark said, we have a free will. Blessings Jennifer. Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 9/19/2020 11:31:00 AM Thank you Jennifer, you're right, many narrow minded people are quick to make judgement without having all the facts before them. Tom

V. Deepa Date: 9/16/2020 12:35:00 PM Such a poignant write that ended up in tragedy dear Tom sir:-( I hate gossips and also dislike people who commit suicide .!! Wonderful sonnet on the whole..Keep writing and keep inspiring sir. I believe your doing well.Take care.Warm regards:-) Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 9/17/2020 2:56:00 AM Thank you very much Deepa, small towns are renowned for narrow mindedness, everyone knowing what every one else is doing. Hope you're well. Tom

Darlene De Beaulieu Date: 9/16/2020 7:48:00 AM Hello Tom, lots of anger there in the small town. The people were up set because the girl took her life. She loved him and wanted to be with him, he wanted his freedom. So now her spirit waits for him to come to her. Enjoy your day my friend. Login to Reply Darlene De Beaulieu Date: 9/16/2020 11:12:00 AM Hello Tom, yes sometimes people people are not meant to be together. I call that a one sided love.Yes that hurts. This happens a lot to people. Sometimes life is not fair. Enjoy your day my friend. Tom Cunningham Date: 9/16/2020 7:56:00 AM Thank you very much Darlene, sometimes things aren't meant to be and people can make the wrong assumptions. Hope you're well. Tom

Michelle Faulkner Date: 9/13/2020 8:21:00 PM That is a harrowing story, people can so easily get the wrong idea and get carried away, I really like the quote too! Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 9/14/2020 10:40:00 AM Thank you very much Michelle, those narrow minded folk can cause so much heartache. Came across that quote, thought it would complement the verse. Greetings from Turkey. Tom

Gershon Wolf Date: 9/13/2020 7:48:00 PM That' 'small town' alright, Tom. A long time ago, I lived in a town of 6,000 where I was the only Jew. In fact, I was the only non-Baptist. People used to watch me out of their windows walking down the street, as if I had horns on my head. I was there for a summer job, and glad to exit after 11 weeks... Nasty nostalgia, that. :) gw Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 9/14/2020 10:37:00 AM Thank you Gershon, all through time you've had those narrow minded people and I wouldn't give them the time of day, sorry to hear you experienced it for real. Hope you're OK. Greetings from Turkey. Tom

Andrea Dietrich Date: 9/13/2020 1:30:00 PM wow, great job with this one. I love the story and how you wove it. This is called emotional blackmail. Some people use it to keep people in a bad relationship. In this case, the woman actually went through with the suicide knowing that the man who tossed her aside would stand condemned. Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 9/14/2020 10:34:00 AM Thank you Andrea, just having a break from touring, still in Turkey Trying to catch up on soup, another early start tomorrow, hope alls well Tom

Quoth Theraven Date: 9/13/2020 9:58:00 AM Tom, Enjoyed your poem 'Small Town Mentality'. At first aghast, then relieved as the others who've commented. The work of an agile mind. -Richard Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 9/14/2020 10:32:00 AM Thank you Richard, I always give the gossip mongers a wide berth, I keep my business to myself. Hope you're well Tom

Krish Radhakrishna Date: 9/13/2020 9:21:00 AM Great sonnet! Very well written! This goes on everywhere! I am the sort of person who will stay and fight, not leave town. but most do! Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 9/14/2020 10:30:00 AM Thank you Krish, you're right those small towns where everyone knows your business are the worst. Still here in baking heat. Tom

Robert Lindley Date: 9/13/2020 3:19:00 AM My friend your story telling is tops. Gossip is indeed a hideous beast that has destroyed so many. It is especially bad when it is deliberate lying by some to intentionally destroy reputations of others. I come from a small town, moved away in 1977. Gossip is evil on parade. God bless.... Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 9/13/2020 5:27:00 AM Thank you very much Robert, some folk thrive on gossip and you're right it destroys lives and reputations. Greetings from Turkey where I am at the moment, hope you and your family are okay. Regards Tom

Nette Onclaud Date: 9/12/2020 10:38:00 PM yes, this is the tred--fake news and ill-will... powerful work, tom.. get lots of plum foe me in the marketplace!...huggs Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 9/12/2020 10:52:00 PM Thank you Nette, will do lol, the sun here grows delicious plums. Hope you're well, just off touring for a few days. Tom

John Watt Date: 9/12/2020 5:17:00 PM Well said, Tom. How sad when one tragedy becomes two because of small minded gossip and false accusations. Enjoy your time in Turkey ~ John Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 9/12/2020 10:49:00 PM Thank you John, some people love to gossip they get a kick out of it, even in big cities. Still here, going touring for a few days will try and look in when I can, wifi depending, they've only just got it working here after much frustration lol. Hope you're e keeping well. Tom

Carolyn Devonshire Date: 9/12/2020 12:20:00 PM I hope this didn't really happen, Tom. We had a family member commit suicide on Christmas when his fiance broke up with him. So very sad. It was certainly not the girl's fault, thought timing was especially cruel. A compelling sonnet, Tom. Best wishes if it's for a contest. Hugs, Carolyn Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 9/12/2020 10:45:00 PM Thank you Carolyn, that was so tragic, we never know how folks will cope and what's going on in their head, but somethings are not meant to be. Some people are too quick to judge others. Hope you're well Tom

Sharon Keely Date: 9/12/2020 8:08:00 AM You speared the small town mentality so well here. Alas it doesn't always get left at the city gates. Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 9/12/2020 8:44:00 AM Thank you very much Sharon, youre right .You can take the man out of the small town but you can't take the small town out of the man, it stays with you. Tom

Lindsay Laurie Date: 9/11/2020 4:58:00 PM Hello Tom … sadness in every aspect of your sonnet. Humanity can be very cruel to its own - thank you Tom - Lindsay Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 9/11/2020 9:54:00 PM Thank you Lindsay, some are very quick to judge others when they should be looking closer to home. Tom

Panagiota Romios Date: 9/11/2020 3:26:00 PM You are good at fiction...as well as poetry. Good job Panagiota xx Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 9/11/2020 9:49:00 PM Thank you Panagiota, im pleased you liked it. Hope alls well Tom

Gordon Mcconnell Date: 9/11/2020 2:26:00 PM Great fiction Tom, you tell this so well with a fine pen! Hope you're coping with the heat in Turkey. Blessings always,Gordon Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 9/11/2020 9:48:00 PM Thank you very much Gordon, just about its 34c in the day, any hotter I'd struggle. Be a shock when I get home. Tom

Heidi Sands Date: 9/11/2020 1:20:00 PM Wow you write these fiction so well, one wouldn't know it is not real. Great writing Tom :) Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 9/11/2020 9:45:00 PM Thank you very much Heidi, I hope you are keeping well. Greetings from Turkey Tom

Vijay Pandit Date: 9/11/2020 6:15:00 AM You are a great story teller Tom..enjoyed the read. Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 9/11/2020 6:47:00 AM Thank you very much Vijay, glad you enjoyed it. Im still in Turkey, hopefully wifi ok now but things over here are hit and miss lol Hope you're well. Tom

Anne-Lise Andresen Date: 9/11/2020 5:09:00 AM - Such incidents are really capable of ruining the lives of others - Rumors can hang you out in public, or accuse you for something that is not true - A great poem about a vulnerable topic :) - Enjoy your swimming pool in the sun, Tom :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :) Login to Reply Tom Cunningham Date: 9/11/2020 5:28:00 AM Thank you Anne, 34c at the moment , just about to go back in the pool to cool off. Tom

Jenna Logan Date: 9/11/2020 4:49:00 AM Oh no! Please say this is fictional, Tom. If not, it was a terrible injustice. Login to Reply Jenna Logan Date: 9/11/2020 5:07:00 AM Glad to know it didn't happen to you. I'm fine. Stay safe in Turkey...you're missed! Tom Cunningham Date: 9/11/2020 4:51:00 AM Hi Jenna , it is a work of fiction. Greetings from Turkey, the wifi has been terrible really hit and miss. Hope you are well. Tom