The Tale of the Pretty Talker

That's where her house used to stand
smack dab in the middle of a dead end road
The prettiest talker you'd ever want to hear
Known for her elegant tea parties in her grand abode

Red roses adorned the dining room
Velvet petals sprinkled on linen crisply white
Dainty finger sandwiches and luscious petit fours
Mint tea served in porcelain cups, pinkies up, how polite 

Initial conversation focused upon good health, relations and the weather
But the discussion turned, as the pretty talker's voice turned melodic
Red painted lips and red roses created a red haze
And the mint that filled the air was quite hypnotic

The pretty talker aired the neighborhood's dirty laundry
The pregnant teen, the womanizing drunkard, the elderly couple in foreclosure
Under her spell, the guests became pretty talkers as well
Revealing confidences no longer too private or damning for exposure

Polite society dismissed, as the guests boldly defamed
each and every neighbor that wasn't there
Pretty talker's teeth gleamed as she smiled, another successful party
Delighting over others' misfortune is pretty awful but she didn't care

Once the guests left, they began to feel ashamed of themselves
Gossiping wasn't usually this close knit neighborhood's cup of tea
Most tossed and turned in their beds that night
And by morning, they had strangely forgotten their loose lips calamity

On the eve of each monthly tea, the pretty talker dragged a rusty cauldron into the dining room
Pricking her finger with a rose thorn, her bitterness, hatred and jealousy spewed
Spellbound by boiling putridity, she laughed at her neighbors' indignities,
salivated over the mortifying secrets her guests divulged after drinking the potion she brewed

And so it went for eons.  The guests kept attending 
for they forgot what occurred at the tea the afternoon before
Until one eve while preparing the tea, the pretty talker's lust for dramatic
gossip grew more maniacal than before

No matter how many visions of her neighbors' tears and fears appeared in that brew 
it wasn't enough, she wanted more. "More More!" she cried
Drooling as the frothy venom bubbled and churned it called to her saying, "Come hither!"
The cauldron opened wide, the pretty talker screamed and jumped inside

I think there was 1 more dark hearted cackle before the entire house combusted
Perhaps she grew a conscience and ending it was of her own accord
Maybe a higher power decided it was time to step in
Sometimes a person falls on their own sword

7/2/16
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

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Dietrich Avatar
July 18, 2016 at 3:32 PM
Hi, Dineen. STill waiting to see a new one from you. Thanks so much for visiting my poetry.
Williams Gault Avatar
July 19, 2016 at 9:17 AM
Oh, I always enjoy visiting your poetry, you're quite welcome, Andrea. I have been eyeing some of the contests, but I've got to let my pen refill. Hopefully soon. :)
Dietrich Avatar
July 16, 2016 at 11:05 AM
a very interesting and dark kind of modern fairy tale this is. For sure, she was a witch in disguise!! I see this won for you. BIG congrats, Dineen
Williams Gault Avatar
July 19, 2016 at 9:14 AM
Andrea, thank you for commenting so, and for your congrats as well. Much appreciated.
Lamoureux Avatar
July 16, 2016 at 9:19 AM
For me this was one of the best! Congrats on your win.
Williams Gault Avatar
July 19, 2016 at 9:11 AM
Such a wonderful compliment, I thank you for such kind words as well as the congrats, Richard.
Allison Avatar
July 15, 2016 at 12:13 PM
fabulous tale Dineen many congrats on your win:-) hugs jan xx
Williams Gault Avatar
July 16, 2016 at 6:57 AM
Such a kind comment, thanks for that as well as your congrats Jan.
May Avatar
July 15, 2016 at 10:51 AM
Congrats on your win Dineen
Williams Gault Avatar
July 16, 2016 at 6:56 AM
Thank you for your congrats Joseph!
A  Avatar
July 15, 2016 at 3:45 AM
Dineen, Congratulations on your awesome win. Thank you SO much for supporting my contest. It meant a lot to me. Stop by my latest blog "False Face Must Hide" and celebrate your win... WEEEEEEEE!!!!! SKAT
Williams Gault Avatar
July 16, 2016 at 6:53 AM
I enjoyed writing for your contest Skat, thank you for a great contest and for your kind consideration. Much appreciated!
May Avatar
July 8, 2016 at 8:39 AM
Well, she went out with a bang....great write Dineen...
Williams Gault Avatar
July 16, 2016 at 6:52 AM
Indeed Joseph, thank you very much!
Devnath  Avatar
July 4, 2016 at 3:17 PM
The last line tremendously beautiful of pretty talker. A 7 indeed and good luck. Loved always my lovely smiling friend, bl
Williams Gault Avatar
July 16, 2016 at 6:51 AM
Your words are so complimentary, I thank you much BL
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