Like Ratatoskr, the turbid tabloids
bring — in brutal ways — the chthonic
gossip, of scandalous celebrities.
Quenching (lustfully) in demonic
listlessness, our reality as such;
Glossy with Kim Kardashian gibberish
whispered by this holy gossiper;
running eagerly with nonsense-news;
up and down – just rep-rep-repeating
(in HD-definition) high-tech balderdash;
while your neighbor’s daughter
— flying on her brother’s cocaine —
pay tribute to her Instagram realities
of Ratatoskr’s secrets that’s revealed.
The Gossip by Norman Rockwell
Today at dVerse Poetics Abrah is talking about mythology, in a modern sense. I selected the squirrel Ratatoskr who runs up and down from the root of the world tree Yggdrasil to its top with news. I see him as the divine gossiper. Pub opens at 3 PM EST.
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September 30, 2014
Björn Rudbergs writings 
very cool… have to check out Ratatoskr… cool use of words and the pic fits in very nicely as well…
Bjorn, That is very true. The illustration by Norman Rockwell is one of my favorites. 🙂 —Susan
Ah, I like thinking about this squirrel Ratatoskr, and I can only hope that in his mythical persona he had more interesting news to announce than that of scandalous celebrities. Ha, it is a wonder that even in Sweden Kim Kardashian is known!
Actually he caused havoc by slander between other gods, with no other purpose than for fun…
oy social media has made that all the more…we had a pretty big federal case here…and some old friends have really got on the bandwagon on social media driving a story that just needs to be let go…its all for their personal gain…makes me a bit sick
I had never heard of the squirrel Ratatoskr and am sorry to read that such a cute critter caused havoc by spreading gossip. Sadly social media and electronic devices, which I otherwise appreciate, seem to have made the Ratatoskrs of this day thrive.
who knew a squirrel could gossip, too? ha… we have a lot of Ratatoskrs these days… too damn many if ya ask me.
Not sure if this was your intended purpose but it makes me feel dirty for ever spreading any gossip. Apparently its akin to sniffing crack. Nice write!
The Vikings saw gossip as truly dirty.. and yes it was the true purpose….
Interesting and sarcastic lookout – glad to see the new angle you brought in, smiles.
Gossip given to great length causing hurt but just for fun! Thought this is just a modern phenomena but it went a long way back! Great word craft Bjorn!
Hank
I hear what you’re saying. Gossip is never innocent – no matter if its about celebrities or people we know. Love the Rockwell art.
Good poem here. I have to look up your mythology figure.
Scandals make money & I like the modern take on social media Bjorn ~
This is thought-provoking, as our modern-day gossip now spreads far and wide thanks to technology……..and does little to elevate anyone’s spirit. Great accompanying picture……….
Very much enjoyed both theme and execution. The middle verse stands out for clever wordplay,
Clever idea here Bjorn, gossip brings fame and money but, in a twisted sort of way.
what a mischievous little squirrel! Love it!
“squirrel Ratatoskr” is still going strong specially after becoming a techie..fun read 🙂
“high-tech balderdash”–love that line 🙂
Tongues wag where minds pry, press their eye to the keyhole. Envy and greed, lust and gluttony: so many sins revel in the dirt. Love the illustration by Norman Rockwell.
Very clever, but for me the most interesting line is how reality is quenched. People focus on this stuff as if it were truly news and of course real news–what is actually seriously affecting people in the world is technical and boring by comparison and gets little reflection–and personal news, what’s going on at home (the sister and brother) , also are ignored. Agh. k .
Yes, that was what concern me also.. Gossip tends to replace reality for us
Great illustration to a clever capture.
wonderful theme for this prompt… I love Rockwell’s paintings
Ah.. the oral tradition of Gossip.. once a place of deeper stories told.. now a place where instant gratification rules the day and night.. and love is at times..
no longer light… the dark the night.. the voice.. the song.. the dance.. a way of life.. where hope still lives…
In LIGHT.
I love your use of words to convey your contempt for the gossip industry! As you say, balderdash and gibberish. Some of the words I had to look up!
The pertinent issue here is that Gossip is part of the human condition, ever has it been, ever will it be–a shady side of human nature, like greed, need for control, sloth & other nasty tendencies. Very nice rocking of the prompt, brother; staying within Scandinavian parameters, & yet reaching out for universal truths. I, too, love the Rockwell painting; he was a genius.
Ha – great minds think alike! I was just saying in my comments that today’s myth-making is all that celebrity gossip. Nice take on this prompt – and taught me something new!
that picture is divine and the way you incorporated the gossips in your words was just as cool.
*gibberish* is a favorite word of mine.
social media as the new squirrel…I can see the relationship…and the parallels to it being like a drug. an enjoyable read.
Beautifully put Bjorn…ych to the Kardashians lol
The turbid tabloids! I really enjoy the clever criticism and sarcasm. Thanks for a great poem, now I can sleep with a smile.
I too like the Norman Rockwall painting. Gossip and rumour mongering are for empty vessels…worthless people.
Sounds like Ratatoskr is quite the busybody! I love the juxtaposition of this myth and contemporary tabloid news. Great photo to use to marry it all together.