The Compliment Destroyer

I smiled at her sweetly And complimented her shirt

I told her she looked pretty

But I don't think it worked

She looked at me

With a sense of dread

I saw it on her face

It was odd the way she looked at me

Like I was in her way

She almost muttered thank you

I think but I don't know

Cause as soon as the words formed on her lips

She swallowed them back, whole

"I guess I'll walk away then"

It seemed like time to go

She didn't care that I was there If I'd gone, she wouldn't know

I'll never understand it

Those who think they're gold

Their skin that shimmers

Like the sun

Yet their hearts are charred like coal

It makes me ill to think that you or anybody else

Would turn away a girl like me

To feel good about yourself

I hope one day you realize

There's beauty elsewhere, too You can accept a compliment

Without sacrificing you

"I really like your fit today

I think you look so great"

Its not that hard, at least, I think To pretend you reciprocate

So perhaps next time

We share a space inside another room, I won't feel scared to look your way Or say hello to you