Compliments

I consume the compliments,
savoring their warmth,
wallowing in their meaning.
I allow a rare grin to transform my lips
from a tight line of war
to an open crescent.

But for every compliment,
there is a past insult.
For every reassurance,
there is an old threat.
They say pain heals with age.
What do they know?
The painful taunts, the moments of terror,
have left me with wounds
that will never be fulfilled.

So of course they’re not enough.
The hunger in my heart stirs restlessly;
not content, never content.
Those words will never be sufficient.
Yet I wait, helplessly wait,
for the showering compliments
to finally add up.

Love love LOVE the mood of this poem! I can totally sympathize with the narrator here; always wanting people to compliment you so that you feel better. I've found myself doing that more than my fair share of times. And it's not really a feeling of selfishness I'm getting from this poem, just one of a cry for love and attention.

from a tight line of war
to an open crescent.

Love this phrase right here. It's very visual and easy to imagine. Well done!

In the second and third stanzas, I think it would have helped the imagery even more if you had more concrete visuals. Like, what kind of "wounds" per se that can never be healed? Scars, cuts, bruises, bleeding ulcers and cerebral hemorrhages? Haha, just pitching some ideas. But I think the ending phrase is very strong, and ties it all together very well. 'Waiting for the compliments to add up.' Genius!

I like it a lot, and I hope you keep writing wonderful poetry like this! If you ever need a review, I'm only a PM away!
- SOCKS

Hi sarahjane97,

The poem you have is very sombre, you potrayed that brilliantly. You have very nice imagery. Especially here:

sarahjane97 wrote:from a tight line of war
to an open crescent.

My favourite two lines of the poem.

The poem also flows, it doesn't trip over itself or anything. But I think that I'd like to know a bit more about the narrator's pain. You say, "The painful taunts." I think you could expand on that. Even if just for a line or two. I feel as though "The painful taunts" isn't enough for someone to be that wounded. So, you could make the poem a bit deeper. Explain what kind of painful taunts the narrator got that left him or her this wounded.

Just a suggestion though, the poem is currently fine standing on it's own.

Hello there,

I really liked the power in this poem and I loved the fact that in the middle verse for every second line you contradicted all that you had expressed in the first line, this feature of the poem really enhanced the poem in general. This is without doubt one of the best poems I have read in a long time I don't know why but it just appeals to me because it is so short, simple and it uses really good language. I have no criticism because it's all good, well done I really hope to read more of your writing!

From CuteJackRussell

So jealous of your skills... Bravo!!!

I love this poem. I like to give compliments, I find it easier than to get them. Getting them makes me feel selfish in a way (i dont think others are selfish... just me) and i can never give enough compliments (makes me feel good) So I'll give you one.

I really love the poem. The imagery is great and the final sentences summing it up is awesome. I think your writing skills are amazing... I'm jealous! (that doesn't happen very often!)

Just have to say this was a great poem. You are very talented. I was too absorbed in the poem (and am too tired) to find any nitpicks, and I can't say it was perfect, but it was definitely coming close. So, anyways, love it!

AMEN SISTA! Beautiful work! The battle between acceptance and failure relates to every human out there. The battle between compliment and insult relates to every teenager... especially girls. Great flow to the poem! The stanzas were ideal length! The desperation was truly felt, and never healed! Well done!