A place of sordid tales, a coven of jealousies

One’s misfortune, another’s joy

Oh, harems are sodden with plots

All are drawn in, willingly or coyly.
It’s taste turns oft to wormwood

Relish its waters are your own risk

Whatever pleasures are dished

Rest assured you’d be pissed.
Harems, a place of plots, sub-plots

Envies are shaped, talons sharpened

The happy, rendered sad,

The sad, raucously happy at other’s misfortune 
Men, thought powerful, brought low

Dignities ruined, egos bruised

Your ride today, another’s tomorrow

A place indeed best for vipers … Or is it?
(To be continued …)
© 25th September 2016. Adewale Adeniji.