Gossip the Truth

Why would someone tell nasty
Things that apply to themselves?
It’s not about what you tell

Or how true it is or how
Well it will fit you as well.
People like to be telling,

Half want to be told, but don’t
Like at all to be told on.
How happy you are with tales

And explanations depends
Less on content or target
Than on whether you’re doing

The telling, being told, or
Being the one told about.
If you tell something nasty

That might apply to yourself,
You’ll still feel like you did well.
If you’re listening, you’ll be

Eager but skeptical, and
If the telling’s about you
And true, you’ll be mad as hell.