Don’t Want an Honest Opinion!

One lesson I have with difficulty learnt

Over the years, after repeatedly getting burnt

Is that when people ask for your opinion

They are looking for support and validation

Rarely the brutal, honest truth they seek

Therefore, before I open my mouth to speak

My honest thoughts, I must temper down

So that intensely critical I do not sound

Harsh criticism rarely its objective achieves

While agreeing with someone helps them believe

More firmly in themselves, therefore now I try

To pepper my truthful opinion with a dash of a lie

*

In examining my reaction when someone gives me

An honest but scathing opinion, I understand clearly

How criticism hits hard, and leaves me demoralized

If my opinion is validated, I’ve realized

That I get a boost of motivation too

What I like done to me, to others I should do