Jealousy

   “Masquerade”

Eyes like fire…

ripened with rage;

hissing sighs of lustful desires

the ugly face behind a page.

Arms stretched out in serpentine guile

lulls its foe with wry embrace-

caressing tenderly all the while

venom sips without a trace.

Born of inadequacies of self;

Beware of those too eager to please-

query their motives – their inklings too…

laugh with them – cajole and tease;

never hold your breath beyond a count of two.

For deflated egos do compensate…

For schemes and skits that go awry

With actions conceived to ingratiate.

Author: Hope Kale Ewusi