By Maya Lerma

 

It did not take long, 

not long at all

to learn jealousy 

has a taste

not bitter, 

because bitterness carries a certain pride

an audacity

in its prickliness.

 

Jealousy is a sickly sort of sweet

that clings to your tongue 

even in its absence.

A dish served to you

Often,

by those you most admire.

If you’re good enough 

at hiding 

the way your face curls in disgust

then it’s a poison 

no one 

has to know you indulge in.

 

Jealousy is a spice

that burns at the tongue

tangy, 

the sort of heat that 

stings 

down your spine

scalding your palate

Corroding until

all becomes tasteless

 

Jealousy is 

terrific

at convincing you 

that it serves some purpose,

some means to an end

Even 

as it tears down the foundations of all that you are

Even

as it stiches you back into an animal of thoughtless emotion

Even

as your envy turns to hate

 

Jealousy can convince you

you’d be nothing without it

It is the ultimate hindrance

to creation

and the ultimate outcome 

of creating.