There’s something strangely tender about a man admitting he is not ruled by possession. Like standing beside a river that trusts the water will return if it’s meant to.
Maybe the word jealous is limiting for what you’re describing here. Maybe it’s injustice — of how casually people pass by your entire universe. Can they feel the love you have for this person when they pass them by? Do they know what you would give up to be that close to them? They speed through it barely registering the presence you yearn to get a glimpse of.
And love remains free because it find its life in the smile of the beloved, not in their physical presence.
Being jealous of the breeze made me laugh (in the most guilty little way~). I can absolutely see why I laughed at you the first time, cuz making the air your romantic competition is dramatic, ridiculous, and weirdly tender~
What makes this poem compelling is that the jealousy here is not written as possession, but as proximity denied. The speaker is not angry that the beloved is seen, touched by sunlight, carried by air. He is wounded by the unbearable fact that existence itself continues to reach her in ways he cannot.
That changes the emotional texture entirely.
Most writing about jealousy becomes territorial very quickly. Here, it becomes almost metaphysical. The speaker envies elements, atmospheres, strangers, even breath itself. Not because he wishes to imprison her, but because love has made distance feel intolerably alive.
“I am jealous even of the gentle breeze” could have collapsed into melodrama in weaker hands, but the poem steadies itself through restraint. Especially in the final movement, where longing refuses to become ownership.
“A foolish jealousy lives within me, / Yet it will never become your chain” feels like the moral center of the piece. Because the poem understands something rare: jealousy is not the failure. The failure begins when longing attempts to revoke another person’s freedom in order to soothe itself.
And that final image of the beloved as a chosen shore is beautiful precisely because anchors only matter where freedom still exists. Otherwise they are only restraints.
Thank you my lovely friend. I know I tend to write way more than usual comments. I have been traveling since April 11 and won’t be home until May 25. So I have not been able to interact as I normally would. So apologies. But I appreciate that you appreciate my comments. Much obliged.
It takes a rare kind of maturity to admit to a jealousy so consuming that it envies the very sun on someone's skin, while still having the grace to let that love remain entirely a choice and never a cage ✨
Indeed it’s not something easy. But when we realize what really matters, the kind of happiness we want, we know love is the best thing when it comes from a free heart
Perhaps love remains free only while it accepts its own vulnerability. The moment fear begins demanding guarantees against loss, something subtly changes. Not because love disappears, but because protection slowly begins occupying its place.
I couldn't agree more. What we try to contain or hide, most often find its way to come out. And very often, a bad way. Perhaps when we accept it, express it, we regain the power and more freedom.
Thank you for reading and for your thoughtful comment, Sara
I think it takes great effort to not let the fear of losing someone we love consume us, especially when we love them deeply. It's not easy to do because the little demons within threaten us most to test us.
I can second that. The more we love someone, the more the little demons are strong and present. The more we attach, the more the fear of losing grows. It takes effort indeed to stay in control.
Thank you Sattie for always supporting that place. Greatly appreciated ☺️
There’s something strangely tender about a man admitting he is not ruled by possession. Like standing beside a river that trusts the water will return if it’s meant to.
The image of the river fits this so well. Thanks for reading and the comment 😊✌️✨
Maybe the word jealous is limiting for what you’re describing here. Maybe it’s injustice — of how casually people pass by your entire universe. Can they feel the love you have for this person when they pass them by? Do they know what you would give up to be that close to them? They speed through it barely registering the presence you yearn to get a glimpse of.
And love remains free because it find its life in the smile of the beloved, not in their physical presence.
Indeed. Love should always remain free.
Thank you for reading and for commenting @Sweet Chili Truths | Shubhdeep. Greatly appreciated ✨
Why haven’t I joined earlier!! You were born to write my friend!! 👏🏼
Good thing is: it’s never too late. You join right on time.
And thank you for your kind words. It’s the most amazing someone tells me today. Greatly appreciated
No problem!!
Being jealous of the breeze made me laugh (in the most guilty little way~). I can absolutely see why I laughed at you the first time, cuz making the air your romantic competition is dramatic, ridiculous, and weirdly tender~
I admit that I was maybe a little too dramatic on this one. Just a little bit 😁
What makes this poem compelling is that the jealousy here is not written as possession, but as proximity denied. The speaker is not angry that the beloved is seen, touched by sunlight, carried by air. He is wounded by the unbearable fact that existence itself continues to reach her in ways he cannot.
That changes the emotional texture entirely.
Most writing about jealousy becomes territorial very quickly. Here, it becomes almost metaphysical. The speaker envies elements, atmospheres, strangers, even breath itself. Not because he wishes to imprison her, but because love has made distance feel intolerably alive.
“I am jealous even of the gentle breeze” could have collapsed into melodrama in weaker hands, but the poem steadies itself through restraint. Especially in the final movement, where longing refuses to become ownership.
“A foolish jealousy lives within me, / Yet it will never become your chain” feels like the moral center of the piece. Because the poem understands something rare: jealousy is not the failure. The failure begins when longing attempts to revoke another person’s freedom in order to soothe itself.
And that final image of the beloved as a chosen shore is beautiful precisely because anchors only matter where freedom still exists. Otherwise they are only restraints.
How I missed your comments, Dipti.
They carry so much details and allow me to see the texts in a different angle.
Thank you for reading and of course for your thoughtful and lovely comment. Greatly appreciated ☺️
Thank you my lovely friend. I know I tend to write way more than usual comments. I have been traveling since April 11 and won’t be home until May 25. So I have not been able to interact as I normally would. So apologies. But I appreciate that you appreciate my comments. Much obliged.
No need to apologize.
I've seen you weren't active as before. And I am glad to know that you've been traveling. That's great. I hope your travels have been wonderful
I think some people are not actually “non-jealous.”
They just learned how to stay quiet about it so the feeling never turns into control.
I couldn’t agree more. Thank you, Frank
It's my pleasure, Odel.
Oh... Well articulated!!
There has to be some kind of maturity level to see the Jealousy in a very new perspective.
These lines are fabulous:
You could not read the storm behind my calm,
And yet, inside, I laughed like a madman.
Ah, what a cruel misfortune—
You could not see my face.
Thanks for sharing such a beautiful piece !!
Thank you so much. Greatly appreciated your support. And that makes me happy you loved it.
I wish she could have seen my face 😁
Your reaction must have been the best part!! That tells all the love towards her !!
It was funny 😁
It takes a rare kind of maturity to admit to a jealousy so consuming that it envies the very sun on someone's skin, while still having the grace to let that love remain entirely a choice and never a cage ✨
Indeed it’s not something easy. But when we realize what really matters, the kind of happiness we want, we know love is the best thing when it comes from a free heart
Thank you for reading Brandi 🥰✨
beautiful! love it!
Thank you Noor 🥰, glad you loved it
Thank you for such a kind comment, Odel. You’re a wonderful writer.
Thank you Christopher. You're amazing writer as well
Perhaps love remains free only while it accepts its own vulnerability. The moment fear begins demanding guarantees against loss, something subtly changes. Not because love disappears, but because protection slowly begins occupying its place.
I couldn't agree more. What we try to contain or hide, most often find its way to come out. And very often, a bad way. Perhaps when we accept it, express it, we regain the power and more freedom.
Thank you for reading and for your thoughtful comment, Sara
Thank you for this post:)
Sweetness mixed with jealousy... this piece is like a lovey juicy peach! Gives my heart chills.
Thank you for reading and lovely comment. Greatly appreciated.
Now I want a nice glass of juicy peach ☺️
I think it takes great effort to not let the fear of losing someone we love consume us, especially when we love them deeply. It's not easy to do because the little demons within threaten us most to test us.
I can second that. The more we love someone, the more the little demons are strong and present. The more we attach, the more the fear of losing grows. It takes effort indeed to stay in control.
Thank you Sattie for always supporting that place. Greatly appreciated ☺️
What touched me here was not the absence of jealousy, but the honesty of self-awareness.
It takes quiet courage to look inward without performance, excuses, or blame.
There is dignity in that kind of reflection.
Let's continue the conversation.
🇨🇦 www.salmizindagi@substack.com
🇨🇦 www.salmiinconversation.com
Thank you for reading and for your thoughtful comment. Greatly appreciated.
This conversation never ends and I'b be glad to continue it even on other subjects. Glad to connect
Thank you, Odel.
Your openness and sincerity made the reflection meaningful in the first place.
Conversations grounded in honesty, humility, and human understanding are always worth continuing.
Glad to connect as well.
🇨🇦 www.salmiinconversation.com
🇨🇦 www.salmizindagi@substack.com
I think basically I write as if I am talking to myself. And there's no point on lying to oneself.