Compliments drip off the sender’s tongue like sticky saliva
And when aimed in my direction
Are unsavoury, unwelcome, uninvited
For fear of getting compliments in my eyes
Or on my skin
Or on me anywhere
I duck and dodge
Downplay and detract
You see compliments mean DANGER
But not from a stranger
They mean
Deceit
Laden with motive
Ulterior
Distrust
Mistrust
They mean
Façade
Fear
Pain
Fight or flight
At age 52
Under hypnosis
The therapist asked
Why is it you cannot receive compliments?
The ease and simplicity with which the response came
From the vault of my subconscious mind
Guarded closely for 50 years
2 year old me stepped forward and spoke
Quietly, clearly, truthfully
Because Grandpa uses compliments to get close to me
You see Grandpa means
Danger
He means
Deceit
Laden with motive
Ulterior
Distrust
Mistrust
He means
Façade
Fear
Pain
Fight or flight
Too young to fight
Too afraid to take flight
2-year old me looked up with those big eyes
No longer frightened
Reached for my adult hand and as we merged
She said “you’re safe now”
You are worthy of a compliment.
Go on. Take one.
About the Creator
Terry Anne Jones
I just love words. Poetry is where I feel most at home but I enjoy writing in many forms.
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Killing him slowly
There’s an intruder in my house again. He stumbles through the door, wet carrier bags in hand. He’s bought me offerings. I show my appreciation, letting him caress my beautiful body. He wants to touch me. I rub myself against his legs. He sighs, dropping the bags. He can’t resist touching me. Running his hand slowly down my spine, I arch my back towards his caress, let out a low purr. It’s what we both need.
By N J Delmasa day ago in Horror
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