Sins and Virtues
Lust. Her tight red dress. His nine o’clock shadow. The scent of stale smoke and old perfume. Neon lights against a starry sky. Desperate hands finding skin and tearing clothes. A night of hazy thoughts and sweaty sheets. Regret and guilt creeping in with the sun. Sneaking out of the dusty motel. Repeating it all after the sun sets.
Chastity. The color white and being called uptight. Hair tucked back in a perfect ponytail. The flood of sunlight spread across the walls. The promise made long ago that dares to be broken. The closet full of hidden desires that remains closed when others are around. A new meaning to self love. A new tactic of self care.
Gluttony. A failure of self-discipline. Waking up in the middle of the night, and standing in the dim light of the refrigerator door. Dieting and supplementary vitamins. The tasteless protein shakes with its dull color. The attempts that lead to engulfing sugary sweets at midnight and the shame that follows in the morning.
Temperance. Moderation and constraint. Measuring out ounces of food to equal the daily amount of calories. Living by a strict schedule that allots for everything except for fun. Tight gym clothes that gives away the perfect physique of the wearer. A tight wrist watch on, beeping softly at each timed interaction.
Greed. Surrounded by velvet furniture and golden chandeliers. A smile that suggests that she would do anything for money. The eyes that give away the hunger and darkness in her. Her diamond jewelry for each occasion with an expensive dress to match. She twists her way to the top, manipulation is a second language for her.
Charity. Red hair tucked into pigtails. An innocent smile with a gap in between her two front teeth. All birthday money given to homeless shelters and every sunday spent volunteering at an animal shelter. Yellow overalls and rainbow socks getting dirty while picking up trash by the side of the road. She asks for nothing more but for others to be as fortunate as herself.
Sloth. Comfy sweatshirts and a ruffled bedspread. Nights that drag into day time. The glow of the tv lighting up the dark room. Potato chip bags scattered across his floor. He promised to leave his bed one day, but his mind kept him trapped. Trapped forever in his paradox of numbing pain. Never ceasing, never leaving.
Diligence. A C+ student hunched over a desk. The desk lamp lit his dim room. Studying ‘til morning then sleeping on the bus. Disappointed teachers telling him to try harder. His quiet tears over another failed test. Frustration bubbling up inside as he tries harder. He persists through his schoolwork until he no longer breathes.
Wrath. Poisoned wine, the color of freshly spilled blood. Blinding light and deafening screams. The sound of broken glass. An empty mansion owned by a lonely miser. God help the poor soul who wanders into the house haunted by relationships brutally murdered by anger. God save those who try and find their way out.
Patience. The ticking of a clock as he sits by his sister, listening to her read. His smiling face when she gets through the book by herself. His gentle voice as he encourages his friend to stand on his shaky legs. The calloused hand held out to help someone cross the street. The listening ears that wait for the babbling three year old finish her story. It’s the eternity given to someone who only needed a minute.
Envy. The color green and the scales of a snake. Her constant glare and steely eyes part the crowds like the Red Sea. She’s an allusion and a myth rolled into one. The green-eyed monster, they whisper behind her back. Her grip is as cold as ice but never melts. Her eyes lock on her newest victim and traps them. Corruption runs through their veins after she sinks her venom into them.
Kindness. A drawing of the sun with a smiling face. Her rainbow umbrella held out to shield unfortunate passersby from the downpour. A heart as pure as gold and a will as strong as diamonds. She is called stubborn but those who understand her know that she takes that as a compliment. The color yellow is always worn somehow in every outfit she adorns. Warmth radiated off of her, inspiring others to be like her.
Pride. Ribbons hanging near the trophy case. Any chance to brag when possible. His smile that screams importance. Her laugh that suggests superiority. The varsity jacket hanging off his shoulder casually. Her cheerleader outfit she wears during school hours. The smiles they share as they exchange not only kisses, but wishes and aspirations. Whoever said being confident was a bad thing?
Humility. Shy smiles and an ‘aw shucks’ attitude. Beautiful poems sprawled out in messy handwriting but denying any skills. Loving theater but staying behind the curtains due to stage fright. Proud of the A’s on tests and essays, and blushing as they’re posted to the fridge door. Hiding the pride felt with a shy smile.