poems about jealousy

I came across this rather mean little poem by Rupert Brooke


Jealousy by Rupert Brooke

When I see you, who were so wise and cool,
Gazing with silly sickness on that fool
You've given your love to, your adoring hands
Touch his so intimately that each understands,
I know, most hidden things; and when I know
Your holiest dreams yield to the stupid bow
Of his red lips, and that the empty grace
Of those strong legs and arms, that rosy face,
Has beaten your heart to such a flame of love,
That you have given him every touch and move,
Wrinkle and secret of you, all your life,
-- Oh! then I know I'm waiting, lover-wife,
For the great time when love is at a close,
And all its fruit's to watch the thickening nose
And sweaty neck and dulling face and eye,
That are yours, and you, most surely, till you die!
Day after day you'll sit with him and note
The greasier tie, the dingy wrinkling coat;
As prettiness turns to pomp, and strength to fat,
And love, love, love to habit!
And after that,
When all that's fine in man is at an end,
And you, that loved young life and clean, must tend
A foul sick fumbling dribbling body and old,
When his rare lips hang flabby and can't hold
Slobber, and you're enduring that worst thing,
Senility's queasy furtive love-making,
And searching those dear eyes for human meaning,
Propping the bald and helpless head, and cleaning
A scrap that life's flung by, and love's forgotten, --
Then you'll be tired; and passion dead and rotten;
And he'll be dirty, dirty!
O lithe and free
And lightfoot, that the poor heart cries to see,
That's how I'll see your man and you! --

But you
-- Oh, when that time comes, you'll be dirty too!

On Jealousy....
I wrote this myself last night matter-o-fact. It's my reminder to myself not to allow jealousy , and how to recognize , and hopefully prevent it from destroying relationships in my life , no matter with whom or what they might be.


Be careful with your heart dear girl. Heed your words, keep them benevolent. Confine your center. Forbid enthralment to surrender of your boundaries.Do not decay,nor suppress that of you wich is . Celestial certain. Nor distinguish infinity dimensions. Heed that wich is the greedy. Bewitchments of jealousy. Do not forsake, or forget your true center. Nor share of this with the jealous born of greed.

Wise counsel, nicely worded. I like it.