Heard for a Fact

The phrase ahead of confidence

That the lie that follows is true—

Well, not true, but a fighting point,

A dare-you-to-say-it’s-not-true.

Odd syntax. As if it were trade,

Heard this for the price of one fact,

The low, low price, today only

Of a fact. I heard for a fact,

And then the gossip is produced,

Sometimes literally produced,

Made up that moment at the bar

To egg the conversation on,

To lay claim to special knowledge,

One in the know, in on the game.

In the end, bid for attention,

For momentary status boost.

Your attention gives this meaning,

Whether it can bear up to it

Or not. Meaning, honest meaning,

For the low, low price of a fact.