COVETOUS

perhaps this envy is
a necessary rite
unavoidable 
in the process
of this wanting 
this yearning
to write

something lost  — 
innocent pleasure 
of reading words
wrapped in 
their magic
without thought
of the source

instead jealousy 
corrodes as 
well turned phrases
taunt me
and I am left
wordless

© 1998 Judy Anne