IMOGENE’S NOTEBOOK
Jealousy
A poem
Before you know what jealousy is
tuck your feet under the desk a bit further,
hiding the fresh shine on hand-me-down shoes
on the first day of class.
Concealing the crumpled tissue soaked with ego in your palm.
Gaze at coveted beams of silent limelight,
then watch the heroine take her bow.
Malice cannot be washed from your costume,
blushing cheeks still shine in the dark.
The immediate grip of jealousy is
draining all from your soul in competition.
Silver becomes merely a color.
Her passing breeze tastes of privileged perfume.
Lost in the moment, you are unsure why your breath falters,
you catch yourself peeking over at distant tables
prickly with balloons and gifts.
Sitting in your cubicle staring at the empty glass corner office.
Quickly rubbing envy off your pocketed hand,
you extend a firm handshake,
I’m sorry, maybe next time.
The trickery of jealousy is
catching yourself doubting the wrinkles on the back
of his shirt as he hangs up his jacket. Tonight, he isn’t late.
Watching heavy droplets slide off a perfect umbrella,
while you huddle under your cardboard canopy,
warmth is a distant comfort.
Being tall would have been an advantage today,
names are called one by one until the end.
You can turn the tables on jealousy.
Finish the last brush stroke on your masterpiece.
Rise, applaud an incredible performance.
Remove the mask of fear and shred it.
Lock envy away with the other six deadly companions.
Nurture your gifts and talents.
Lastly… Embrace all the abundance that feeds you.
This poem is in response to a prompt by Debra G. Harman, MEd.
What To Know About Kindness, A writing prompt inspired by Naomi Shihab Nye.
