Praise

I do not seek affirmation
I don't want your accolades
It is hot air you are blowing
I see your nose, it's getting brown

Do you expect me to be grateful
Of all the praise you throw my way
That's not how you get respect
You have to earn that right from me

But do not break of that trust
Because there's no way to repair
I extend my hand only if I mean it
Once chance only, do you get

By and by, I will walk away
I'm not wasting of my time
It's valuable to me
Why don't you go spend your own

I'm not one who lives for appraisal
I'll make that clearly known
I see that you must have it
To get you through your day

I pity you, so insecure
There's nothing that matters more
Than to have someone who's always there
To give you self-esteem

It's called "self" for a reason
You must give it to yourself
How much you're given from others
Won't feel that hollowness inside

I'm glad that I'm not like you
I'd have for myself, no respect
If a pat on the back, just some attention
We're the reason that I live

Don't say that you appreciate me
I know that you just want return
There's a freedom I've achieved
I can live without these things

Reviews

[Frank]

I t could be good, it could be better, work on it... workshop it. I liked.

[MsJewel]

There is strength and power in your wise words.
I'm not one who lives for appraisal
I'll make that clearly known
I see that you must have it
To get you through your day

It can be exhausting to constantly build someone up, when to truly get over insecurities they must look within.
Your poem is well written and a pleasure to read
) Julie