Catalyst

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber

So often in life, we think someone may be responsible for something, whether it be for good or bad, but circumstances suggest otherwise; it is so easy to convince ourselves that what is essentially a fiction in our heads is a fact. No or little harm done if our fiction has a happy ending for its main characters, but the alternative tells a different story altogether and may well have a detrimental, even catastrophic effect on those people’s lives who deserve better.

I have been the victim of the latter more than once, how about you? As for pleading  guilty to the same offence, I like to think not, but can any of us be sure that a word and/ or sentiment out of place hasn't done the rounds and acted as a catalyst for causing more damage than we could imagine ... ?

Hearsay is rife in any socio-cultural-religious context; it cannot move mountains but it can - and does - shake faith, trust and all manner of emotions ... in whatever and whomsoever, anytime, anywhere ... just as easily as it can restore.

CATALYST

I can be a friend

depending on how well you discern

the truth in what I say

in an ear less receptive

to my opinion for its having learned

of my penchant

for hidden agendas, how I so love

to sow seeds of dismay, lies dressed up

as hearsay

I can be an enemy

depending on any given situation,

whispering a warning

in an ear receptive to my opinion

and likely to bring you

heartache and misery for what I say

at face value

deaf-blind to signs of any hidden agenda

in my manner

Be on your guard

for the likes of me, sometime friend,

sometime enemy,

skilled in tactics tailored to my needs,

seeing to it

that human nature feeds on fake news,

insider knowledge

of home truths, invariably alerting me

to its flaws

Trust in better instincts, avoid me if you can

that am called Suspicion

Copyright R. N. Taber 2020