the praise we should have gave

I remember Tommy like it was yesterday
He was the skinniest and always last when picked to play
It wasn’t that he was the worst or best, it just always happened that way
And I was always the captain and could have changed it any day…
Tommy was passionate about what he loved but didn’t have the guts to say
Hey, just for once don’t pick me so last you forget to ever call my name
But for some reason we just didn’t change
We all acknowledged he was there and that he tried his hardest in every game
And it was never for the trophies or even the accolades

Maybe I should have given him a hand and even the well deserved praise
But instead we kept quiet and just watched him thinking… he isn’t that bad for his frame
And he got better with each game he played
He ran harder and faster than any of us could train
Then picking him last sort of became like a game
We wanted to pretend like he was still the same because of his gawky frame
But the truth is… we were unable to meet his gaze

And then one day… Tommy just didn’t show up to play
He hadn’t said a word to any of us and then the skies turned gray
So we convinced ourselves to go home and said the rain was to blame
But without Tommy… how could that game even be played?
The teams would be uneven and winning just wouldn’t mean the same
We always knew that day may come, but we weren’t ready when it came  
And the next day we set up a game with one sub and pretended it was all okay

Because we didn’t want to see the impression we portrayed
I went home feeling so guilty because I admired him from a distance but just couldn’t say… thanks…
I felt like it was just to little to late and for that the burden I’ll always pay
Because we each had our reasons for not thanking Tommy but admired him every day
And as much as we wanted to dislike him we just couldn’t hate the kid trying to obtain
The respect of his peers more than the fame, yet we read him like we knew what he had to say
The truth is we didn’t have the guts so we remained quiet and he stomached the pain

I still feel the burden of Tommy’s pain because maybe if I wasn’t so high on myself I would say
“Hey man, great game” and today I wouldn’t carry the shame of never offering the praise he had gained

Author's Note

a story of feeling under appreciated and not respected after having contributing so much... this is a lesson for adults through the metaphor of childish ways we behave

Reviews

[C.M. Waters]

Deep poem. One thing I learned over personal experience is that people do give you plenty of credit for the things you do even if you don't hear it.

[Weepingmoon]

Compelling write, I like how you portrayed this important moral thourgh the eyes of a chiled.

[☯]

A very very compelling and strong write. I love how you first wrote this in a child's perspective but the moral pertains to everyone, and everything. I can also relate to this poem. Sometimes, our pride and self consciousness leads us to believe we can do things and not hurt the person we're avoiding for the wrong reasons. Tommy went unrecognized, though he should've been first. A very strong and important moral you've portrayed. Amazing write.

[Searching 4 Serenity]

This was a really strong read that I could sorta relate to. I was always the last kid in gym, class activities, etc... Not because I was good, but because I was kinda a misfit.

[Celeste21]

Too many hard workers go unrecognized, and to many more are not giving the exposure and admiration the deserved to their ashes turn to dust. I'm reading so many truth's today. :D

[Bryony Kate]

This has a really powerful meaning and is also really well written, thanks for posting, really gave me alot to think about :) xxx

[SpokenWord]

Great self reflection by the one in this poem. Being able to accept the role we play is essential to growing up into an adult to accept responsibility of our actions. It is hard some times to give praise until we do it and we see how simple it is. I would wonder how Tommy looked back on those games, and what lessons he carried away into the future. Another poem that dives under that which makes us human to expose the simple truth.

[Shellie]

Great beat to this piece, I have to say. It definitely made me think a bit. You cant just presume people know your grateful you need to voice it. I can see why Tommy felt unappreciated. Excellent write.

[Ruth]

And it so is! The structure here is astonishing, I adore it! You have honest emotion travelling this piece....leaves the reader feeling positive also, that we can look back and think well.......this time will be different, a lesson for all!
Beautifully written love
xx

[lisameryl]

shoaib, this is brilliant and beautiful of you to compose this amazing and powerful write along with its important message to mankind!