jealousy
by rhiannon macgregor

she saw in her rival what she wanted for herself
bravado, cheer, and boundless patience.
inflamed to shades of chartruese
she let the dragon on her back use her lips
to speak his envy.
with abiding understanding her rival cast no aspersion
but let that simmering covetousness
reveal itself to others.
in the face of envy, her rival offered sympathy, not pity.
with further inflamed righteousness
the dragon grew restless,
seeking out others who would not bend
would not capitulate to the malaise,
and in so doing revealed herself
for a covetous whore.

© 2000

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about this poem:

there may not be much cause to be jealous of me, but i have found that my mother's advice from years ago works well. when someone spews hatred or expresses disdain, remain above them by offering sympathy, and always remember that they will envy your ability to do so, and despise their own inability to resist that green dragon of jealousy.