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Superbia
They should never let people like that in,
that tramp and her pack of whining pups.
Parasites.
The Book is wrong when it criticizes
the Pharisee. He had to study hard,
sacrifice, become a teacher, someone
people could look up to. Why shouldn't he
stand at the front of the temple?
Like him, what I got I worked for.
Cupiditas
Now, of course, I want to deposit it
before two o'clock,
or the bank doesn't credit
my account until tomorrow.
You may not think one day's interest
is much, but every penny counts.
Those bloodsuckers...you'd be surprised
how they grease you,
flatter you, when they know
how much you've got.
They suggest their Private Banking Service.
Everyone wants a place at the trough.
Salacitas
My God, I can't help it
When I think of her
the beveled haunch
the secret articulations
the sudden splay
the carmine corridors
the sweat, surge, spate
When she walks all I imagine
is incandescent invitation
feel moisture and blood flowing
I want to leave the light on
I want to see, touch, stroke
I want to feel with finger ends
I want to taste
I want
Ira
Who can push back a crimson tidal wave?
It catches me before I have a chance.
I have to strike at
something, someone,
anything, anyone.
The roaring in my ears,
that fiery incubus clenching my chest,
the chum in my belly.
I drown in my own blood.
Edacitas
I don't mind if I do. If you're going to the kitchen
anyway, bring back a little something.
The skinnies don't know what they're passing up:
Flapjacks, gobs of butter, real coffee cream,
brownies, French fries, coconut custard pies,
roast ham crackling with cloves and molasses glaze.
And goose—I almost forgot goose!...foie gras!
I love family feasts like we used to have.
Sometimes at night, I do need a snack.
Acedia
No one notices, anyway.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it
Close enough for government work
Too much trouble
If it ain't broke, don't fix it
It's fine the way it is
Too much trouble
It will still be there tomorrow
It's fine the way it is
Let it simmer for a while
It will still be there tomorrow
It's not worth the effort
Let it simmer for a while
Close enough for government work
It's not worth the effort
No one notices, anyway.
Invidia
Because they elbow their way up
they can afford tailored suits.
They can't help looking great,
an inch of white showing
above the collar of their jackets.
All the while they whine:
What it costs to repair their BMWs,
how expensive it is to send their kids
to camp in the Adirondacks,
how little time they have to enjoy
their summer places on the Island,
gin and tonics at the Beach Club,
chit-chatting, sucking up the mucky-mucks.
All these years they've used me,
sidling up, grinning,
This one needs your special touch, Buddy.
They climb on my back. Especially him—
he can't make it without my help.
It wouldn't be so bad if he didn't have
those straight white teeth.
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