Gianfranco Aurilio, Rome, Italy

The Muses of Man
Science fiction, fantasy or reality?
Episode 5

Envy

The Muse of Envy
is very peevish
and hates
talking to others.
The Origin
gave her a long dress
with two large pockets
on both sides.
Indeed,
she desires all things
that belong to others
and through trickery or other means
she often manages
to steal them.
When she slips them
in the pockets of her dress
they become tiny,
like specks of dust,
and they don’t take up any room,
even if there are lots of them.
Yes,
Envy leaves behind whatever she takes
and then forgets she’s taken it
because when she wants
what someone else has,
it’s not because she needs it.
It’s just because she doesn’t want
anyone else to have it.
When the muses asked her
why she did this,
Envy replied:
“Because I’m incapable of being happy
and if I cannot be happy
I don’t want
anyone else to be happy, either.”

© 2019 Gianfranco Aurilio