The Seven Deadly Sins and In Defense of Arachnids

John Irvine

 

 

The Seven Deadly Sins

linked mirror cinquains

 

1) Greed

 

My bank

once paid such low

interest on my cash

and investments that I bought it.

Now I

pay a

higher interest to myself

and have become richer

than Croesus or

Bill Gates..

 

 

2) Wrath

 

Writing

is a gentle,

peaceful occupation.

Woudst that I could write tranquilly

of my

deep angst

without her unbelievably

noisy bloody high-pitched

mindless screeching

chatter…

 

 

3) Lust

 

Lovely

woman she is.

Charity queen last year.

Helps place disadvantaged orphans,

and finds

funds to

aid handicapped men like me, but

all I want to do is

get into her

panties…

 

 

4) Gluttony

 

No thanks!

I’m full up to

pussy’s bow. Oh, OK--

a small fifth helping then, thank you.

I can

always

just regurgitate to fit in

the Black Forest gateaux

with the whipped cream

can’t I?

 

 

5) Sloth

 

I know

I have the skill

to write such clever verse

groaning with philosophical

import.

And yet

each time I take up my pen to

record these thoughts I find

I just can’t be

bothered.

 

 

6) Pride

 

People

say that I am

a clever scholar and

a fast learner. But it’s not that

at all.

I must

be entirely honest with you

and admit the plain truth.

I am just brill

iant.

 

 

7) Envy

 

Who cares?

So he’s got cash

and a pretty young wife.

So what if he’s got a top job

with a

big firm

and a chauffeur-driven Lexus?

Do you think that I care?

Who needs that crap?

Not me!

 

 

In Defence of Arachnids

a Spenserian sonnet

 

I admit my legs are long and hairy,

that I scuttle to and fro with no sound.

That having eight eyes is weird and scary,

and with dire toxic poisons I abound.

But for kinder reasons I am renowned.

For example, my cuisine is benign

for to flies and mosquitoes I am bound.

On these harmful pests I’m programmed to dine,

leaving your abode as pure as a shrine.

My lace creations adorn your ceilings

shimmering, and complex as any wine.

I beg you, reconsider your feelings

and take a spider to your heart today.

Aspire not to yet another cliche.

 

John Irvine is an Old Aged Pensioner with delusions of immortal failure and a cynical view of life. He has a mole under his left arm, and a wife who hates pizza and tripe,. He hopes to die painlessly one day without warning. He has a volume of poetry, recently published by Zenith Publishing Group (www.zenithpublishing.co.nz) of New Zealand, called Man of Stone. It has been positively reviewed in Takahe magazine by Raewyn Alexander, and in Valley Micropress by Tony Chad. He’s pathetically grateful for that. He also has a web site where you can waste some time: www.cooldragon.co.nz.  He has been published in a number of print and online magazines, including Australian Reader, Wicked Karnival, Sam Smith’s Select Six, Stylus and Magazine, and now in the truly amazing Noneuclidean Cafe.
 

Photo "Lusty" by Bella Dante.

 

 

 

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Poems Copyright © 2006 John Irvine. All rights reserved.
Photo Copyright © 2006 Bella Dante.  All rights reserved.