‘A’ says something to ‘B’ about ‘C’.
‘B’ agrees, and adds a little.
Her fire fuelled, ‘A’ contributes again.
Hyped, ‘B’ continues
making it up as she goes.
Reaction… leads to reaction…
leads to reaction…
A fact, taken out of context
twisted and distorted with jealousy,
is moulded
until the meaning has changed.
‘B’ can’t wait to tell ‘C’ what ‘A’ has said.
‘A’ soon takes her opportunity
to report to ‘C’
that ‘B’ has been tale-telling.
Both ‘A’ and ‘B’ believe
they have spoken the truth:
each has shared their reality
even if maliciously…
and the truth lies
somewhere in between.
c. Kathryn Coughran
First published: 1993 in Live At Don Bank – Live Poets’ Society Anthology
Also: 1994 in Family Matters (Kathryn Andersen)