Scuttlebutt Poems

Knight in White

Watch the leaves swim in the wind
As Autumn’s corners unfurl
And as we sail on
On the face of reflective waters
In our relationship
Just you and I now empty nesters
No one to pester us
(but we miss drinking from the scuttlebutt) 
As we greet and kiss the morning 
(And each other)

Now I'm her knight in white
And she's my bride in white
Now its just us twain
Reflections of when we first met

The Dawns Scuttlebutt

the dawn’s scuttlebutt
dovetails with the dishwasher
whirring and tweeting
the wagging of beaks and wings
movement of a writer’s hands

Fantastic Words

A closer look at a fantastic word
And no, I’m not talking in bafflegab
To not repeat this speak is just absurd

To absquatulate like a fracas herd
Throw a foofaraw over a little jab
A closer look at a fantastic word

A uni-brow is a glabella furred
And whirligigs hung too slapdash to grab
To not repeat this speak is just absurd

Scuttlebutt schlepped to sassafras by bird
Skedaddle from a skirmish of stone crab
A closer look at a fantastic word

A quibble over razzmatazz occurred
Doohickey from a lummox, easy nab
To not repeat this speak is just absurd

So scrumdiddlyumptious I may have slurred
Like tintinnabulation, it’s not drab
A closer look at a fantastic word
To not repeat this speak is just absurd

My Middle Sister Aleera

When you were born, I did not know what to do, 
You see, I was only just the age of two.
Wherever I went, so did you
You see, we were stuck together like glue.

Then as we grew up, we started drifting apart.
Yet, you see, you were always in my heart.
If I knew what was meant by those mean boys would impart. 
They would no longer have a mouthpart. 

As adults, we do not always agree. 
However, you mean the world to me. 
We lost one sister, something no one could foresee. 
Grief brought us back together and we set our squabbles free. 

Know that no matter what,
We will always follow our gut,
We will never  believe the scuttlebutt
That we are told, we will allow the world to shut. 

Aleera, you are my sister now and forever,
And these new bonds I do not want to sever. 
I will always be here for you whenever, 
And these horrible storms we shall, together, weather.

©Kristy De La Keur Scoville

Truth

She sat at your table
You laughed at her jokes
She saw then, but couldn't believe
It was all an orchestrated hoax

You invited her to afternoon lunches
But left her to find friends
Her presence made a difference
But not enough for the lies to end

She beheld the scuttlebutt 
You four crowded in static whisper
She was too white for your dark
Drink and tattoo parlors to appear a hipster

You received her flow of life
Inviting your leeches to glow bright
Siphoning energetic creation
So you could be THE light

She said nothing..just walked away
Hoping you would return in time
You did, with gestures of value
To ensure she was still in line

...to bow

TRUTH doesn't speak
She stands in LOVE
Scales in hand
Inside Mama dove 

Court is in session
Only WORD has the floor
TRUTH was never alone
Daddy God has cut the cord

...to lies

Written by Trudy Schrader on 03/29/2022

Buying a New Computer

The salesman said, “This computer will do everything,
                                                                       but wipe your butt!”
My wife said, “If you buy that thing … please tell me …
                                             you didn’t buy all of that scuttlebutt?”
My brother said, “Mine is bigger and better than yours –
                               more potential and way more storage capacity,”
My friend said, “Most important, does it have AI capability?”
My neighbor said, “That machine will still be fully functional 
                                                                  long after you’re dead!”
I said, “I’ll take it. After all that’s been said!”

written February 5, 2022
especially for "Let's Explore Digital Technology" Poetry Contest
sponsored by Simon Rogerson

Scuttlebutt

Scuttlebutt ran in and bit me.
Harder than a mosquito bites.
I yelled ouch!

Scuttlebutt did a summersault
into my reptilian brain.
She is easy to antagonize.

Scuttlebutt chuckled
So I pulled out my big gun.
Ignore.

Keep Mouth Shut and Bury With King Tut

tune could not carry
horrible sound would vary
and also very

latest scuttlebutt
trump should keep his big mouth shut
bury with King Tut

they will realize
after hearing all the cries
forgot my french fries

peter forgot to pay paul
when he slipped in shower stall
out from had to haul

many need to feed
must have a group who agreed
should no longer speed

stock market did dive
many hard times would arrive
with God should survive

The Bees

The bumble bees sounded the horn
Then broke out with all their thorns
For the Gardner who just cut
Their hive into scuttlebutt
They made him wish he was never born

Quotidian

Quotidian
(commonplace or ordinary)
Written: by Miracle man
October 19, 2020

I say this not intending to sound like some old cliché,
but most things are quotidian that lurk in my day.
I’ve never shown much interest in the latest scuttlebutt,
my comfort zone has mostly been the bottom of a rut.

I know lots of people but socializing isn’t my thing,
I face each day and whatsoever it might bring.
I value my privacy and use my alone time to think,
some have tried convincing me of my need to bethink,

Opinion and the Grapevine

An Opinion blindly thinks, but
Boldly speaks out loud
Judgment of...Perspective on...
Doesn't matter to the crowd
As quick as it leaves the lips, it's retold with words anew
Snowballs fast, has bigger plans 
For Opinion's point of view
Big Ears-Big Mouths pass it on 
Reporting it; "As the truth!"
A small fish becoming a whale of a tale...
Without a single shred of proof

Hearsay tweaks the tale a bit; "Needs more drama" 
"I can tell"
(Not a lie, just embellishment...The better buzz will sell)
A Little Birdie told me, in my ear
Flap flap-flapping...Peep 
Chattering; "Listen to this" to a; 
"That's what I heard!"  Sheep
Following the flock, Baaabbling on
Nosy Parker Yakkety-yaks
Gossip climbs on the bandwagon, poisoning truth with little-known facts
Together they spread the Rumor
Through the grapevine, fruit gets ripe
Gossips peck 'til there's nothing left 
Of 'Opinions Grapevine' flight                                                           
But soon, another Opinion speaks up..
Through the maze, to the Grapevine News
Headline reads;
"Loose Lips Sinks Ship." 
Aboard Gossip's Scuttlebutt Cruise!

I'Ve Been Known To Preen

I don’t like to crow, but I’m an expert at giving my enemies the I-could-not-care-less-about-you strut.
I’ll let you in on a bit of a secret. Watch out when I stick my nose in the air, and push out my big gut.
On a good day, I have been known to preen in front of seventeen amazed women, in front of your very hut.
So stand back, young woman, as I spread out my glorious feathers of turquoise, blue, and green, keep your coop shut.
I know you are looking at me weirdly, wondering whether or not I’m some kind of amazingly good-looking nut.
I’m telling you darling, run for the hills, and find another – there are some at least half as fine, with no scuttlebutt.
I am a danger to you, little peahen, so you’d best stay away, run while you’re at it; follow your gut!

Scuttlebutt

I like travelling a lot 
that’s why people are
often giving me guilt trips.

I like to drill and dig holes
that’s why people always bore me.

I like playing possum
that’s why life often passes me by.

I paint a lot in red
that’s why people often catch me 
red-handed painting the town red.

I am old-school and like to
hitch rides on horse-drawn cart
but fall off the wagon often.

I bite off more than I can chew 
And I am hanging onto life now
by the skin of my teeth.

Fugitive From Gossip

terza rima

Years of experience, a discovery -
I can speak without making use of my jaws.
Prudence and patience are rudimentary.

Some folks get their kicks using scuttlebutt claws.
Their tongues' crude vitality comes with closed eyes;
emotional blindness - the probable cause.

Starting with prejudice, they out and out lie.
When asked, I stand silent, comments I refuse.
To their third-degree grilling I can't reply.

Some fake aggravation, crying through tissues.
But demurring to speak, objection I raise.
Honesty is one of many dead issues.

Bidding no farewell, I leave, making my case,
which makes me their next target, no hesitance.
My objection overruled, noise fills the place.

Turning my back on verbal vindictiveness,
this fugitive from gossip needs no redress.

13 March 2016

After the Concert

AFTER THE CONCERT

Before was sober expectation -
The scuttlebutt
The learned dissertation

How the boxes, parquet did settle, did flow 
Plush with plutocracy
While those on high held thoughtful gaze below

Bother not with concert raving,
Stage attire and shading
As per always was the performance amazing!

Let’s mil about after the show –
The careful exit,
The lingering afterglow

How the music like whispering mist
Has tinted sensitive faces
Has harmoniously kissed

And bathed dreary sense with light
How, long after cocktails, snacks and chat
One, yet charmed, fondly hugs the spouse goodnight

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