Invidia — a free verse poem on Envy
Human Parts prompt “Envy”
The following poem is a response to the Weekend Writing Prompt: Unpack Your Envy by Human Parts.
Invidia is the Roman goddess of retribution and envy, her Greek counterpart being Nemesis. A number of rituals and spells existed in ancient Rome that effectively averted envy and the evil eye. Witches and magic were associated with Invidia, who was said to have a poisoned tongue; this is why witches were depicted having protruding tongues. Invidia was closely associated with occassions in which justice was offended and the sight of undeserved wealth and shamelessly exercised authority caused grief. She was described as having a pale skin, lean body and discoloured teeth. In the Christian religion, Invidia became one of the Seven Deadly Sins. — Greek Mythology
Invidia
seven deadly sins
you, one of them
and I, have lived holding
your hand. Sinewy-foul
skin wrapped taut,
eyes that impaled
me green.
tiny red-head baby
gets to wear yellow
and I, wrapped in pink
can’t comb my hair
