Envy

...written after hearing a presenter at a poetry workshop...

I'll never get to heaven now I thought

not when I'm as envious as this

damn it

he has so much

most of the things I lack anyway...

*

I mean he looked so cool as they say

easy on the eye a person

neat in dress in poise

and he spoke well too

in captivating modulating easy tones

a slight accent from his place of birth

adding a rich quality of its own...

*

He moved assured confident in his knowledge

yet his learning was not puffed up

rested easy communicated just as easy

and best of all enjoyment flowed freely as he talked...

*

Envious though I was

no real damage done in truth

rather his explanations lightened up my way

as from here and there with anecdotal words

he painted mental pictures

moving in their clear simplicity

explaining concepts some abstract

and otherwise quite difficult

and as Clint would say he made my day...'

*

Therefore if of envy I am guilty now

then let whatever judgement on me fall

perhaps standing at the pearly gates of heaven

my envy shall be seen

as only the sincerest form of praise.

*

Dennis Crompton © 1995