Woman with a Parasol; Constantin Guys (French, 1802 – 1892); 1860–1865; Watercolor over pen and brown ink; 27 × 18.4 cm (10 5/8 × 7 1/4 in.) [Wikimedia Commons.]
A Certain Kind of Envy
She paints her nails
with California Sunshine
in the wintertime
makes up her face
in white, and pale pastel shades
at the height of burning summer
reclines in the cool with a parasol
while I dance like a red-hot devil
in the midday sun.
I watch her – scarcely comprehending
the beautiful animal I see.
She observes me – seeming to understand
everything I desire.
I worry about possible victory
– the two of us falling in love.
She signals my inevitable defeat,
knowing this will never happen.
I walk across the baked salt pans
of dried-up lakes.
She strolls down an autumnal lane
where rain-soaked leaves squelch under her feet
and sunlight filters through the trees.
She’s on her way home,
down that quiet lane,
while my journey
is only beginning …
Read more from Kevin Densley HERE
Kevin Densley’s latest poetry collection, Isle Full of Noises is available HERE
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About
Kevin Densley is a graduate of both Deakin University and The University of Melbourne. He has taught writing and literature in numerous Victorian universities and TAFES. He is a poet and writer-in-general. His sixth book-length poetry collection, Isle Full of Noises, was published in early 2026 by Ginninderra Press. He is also the co-author of ten play collections for young people, as well as a multi Green Room Award nominated play, Last Chance Gas, published by Currency Press. Other writing includes screenplays for educational films.
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