I’ve had compliments showered on me
I don’t remember them, regrettably
At times I expected them and at times I
Thought they were untrue, I was quick to deny
That I deserved any praise, whatever I had done
Was nothing special, no Nobel I had won
To be completely honest, I realize now
That in all my years, I’d never learnt how
To accept a compliment graciously
For what it was meant to be
*
On the other hand, any critical or negative remark
Would leave on my psyche an indelible mark
When I recall those words, spoken years ago
My confidence ebbs again to a new low
If I was perceived as flawed, it must be true
There are so many things I cannot do
As well as most people around me
I can never be good enough, I think repeatedly
*
Why does my confidence stand on such shaky ground
Why in all these years I have not found
An unshakable belief in myself after all
Why do I let myself shatter after a fall
Is it my fault or does societal conditioning play
A partial role in making me feel this way?
To be modest when praised was supposed to be
The way to behave in polite society
I was taught to do things to minimize
The possibility of being criticized
To never swerve too far from the norm
For the fickle society, I was expected to perform
*
The world tries to be critical, yet there are few
Who pay genuine compliments too
To accept both with equanimity
Is the goal I am striving towards currently
Let my confidence be planted this time around
On solid, unyielding, rocky ground
Passion...unbridled 