Over The Fence

When I was in high school I wrote a poem I titled “Over The Fence.” I was hoping to find a copy of it here to include with this post but, for some reason, it isn’t in my storage files. I considered trying to write another one in a similar vein but, remakes are never as good as originals.

The poem was a dialog between two women conversing over the fence separating their yards. My purpose in writing it was to display the ease in spreading and sharing gossip. How many times do we share gossip without thinking about it?

Unfortunately, this is only too common in society. And, it has been my experience that women are more guilty than men at spreading gossip. Jealousy is often the driving force that fuels wayward words, and women tend to be jealous creatures.

In my poem, among other things, the two women mention the price of a woman’s dress and another woman’s companions. What it portrays is the judgment that we pass on others, and how we encourage others to pass judgment as well.

Life Is Harder At The Center Of Gossip

Life isn’t meant to be easy. It’s hard enough for everyone. However, there are those who will make it harder for someone else with their words. Even if the tale is true, the intent was to hurt the target of the gossip attack.

Malicious gossip usually originates from small-minded people with a grudge. But, even innocent people have been guilty of telling tales “over the fence.” It’s exciting to be the first to share “hot news” with a friend, then “chew the fat” about it.

The fact is that we are gossiping when we are sharing tales about another person. Whether the tale is good or bad is irrelevant. It’s not our story to tell. If Theresa has a new boyfriend, that’s her business. Similarly, if Jerry is driving a new truck, it’s nobody else’s business how he is paying for it.

Few of us like the limelight of being the hot topic over the fence. Knowing how it feels should be reason enough to keep us from putting someone else in that uncomfortable position.

If you are chatting with the neighbor over the fence, let it be about recipes and funny antics of pets. Don’t be a gossip.