Poetry

Compliments

Those compliments that aren’t really compliments

From friends who aren’t really friends,

Who want you to succeed but not so much,

And wish you well as long as you’re not better than they

Those compliments that aren’t really compliments

That serve to complement only those

Whose desire to be greater than you

Won’t let them say “well done”

Those compliments that aren’t really compliments

From those you love who don’t quite love you

Whose secret wish is that you remain not so great

So that they could look great standing next to you.

Those compliments that aren’t really compliments

Cripple the foolish but

Compel the wise forward,

Into territory where compliments aren’t needed. 

Joana M. James