The Serpent of Envy

In hearts where peace once softly bloomed, a shadow finds its lair,

A whisper born of wounded pride, that poisons life’s pure air.

Jealousy — that serpent green, with venom cold and sly,

Creeps through the soul’s unguarded gate, and dims the inner sky.

It feeds on others’ shining joy, their triumphs, love, and fame,

Turning admiration’s glow to spite’s unholy flame.

Where gratitude should humbly rest, comparison takes throne,

And hearts once rich with self-esteem turn barren, harsh, and lone.

The jealous eye distorts the truth, it magnifies the small,

It chains the spirit to despair, and makes the mighty fall.

No mirror shows a crueler face than envy’s twisted art —

For what it steals is not from others, but from its keeper’s heart.

Why do we envy? — fragile souls that fear they’re not enough,

That measure worth by others’ gain, in life’s relentless rough.

Yet peace is found not in their loss, but in one’s own ascent,

When self-belief becomes the flame, and pride turns innocent.

Beware the seed of jealousy — uproot it while it’s young,

Or else it grows a thorny vine where hope and love once hung.

For envy robs both mind and grace, it blinds, corrupts, decays —

A gilded cage for empty hearts, where light forever strays

Copyright ©️ Karil