Andrew James Menken: Ghazal on Envy

Ghazal on Envy 

A mate rolls up in his Jag and offers you a ride; you’ve always wanted

to cruise in some classic by a stretch of seaside. You’ve always wanted

to polish a Lambo. But you decline and act like an old bomb conking out,

sputtering noes and then stalling once you specified you’ve always wanted

something that just gets from A to B. After you told him he’s a prime

example of overcompensating, this mate cried. You’ve always wanted

women to scream your name at night. When friends are exchanging vows,

you pray the celebrant calls on you to kiss the bride; you’ve always wanted

a woman to whisper I do. If guys ask why you don’t have a missus, you say:

good men live like Dr Jekyll and not like Mr Hyde. You’ve always wanted

a career that reflects your passionate life. Instead, you jump from odd jobs

and endlessly watch a clock whose hands are tied; you’ve always wanted

your time over at school. Before asserting you could’ve become a physician,

you explain why the proletariat’s far more dignified. You’ve always wanted

more reasons to smile but found looking down your nose had set your face

into a frown; too bad you can’t buy that nitrous oxide you’ve always needed. 

Andrew James Menken