What You Really Wanted (And Didn't Get)

the score ticks up,

another point lost,

and you wonder

what was the point

I could stand here

all day and sing you

praises of gold and silver,

but what would it do?

praising your ego

would lead to pride

running rampant,

a trip of mass destruction

when I say, “good job,”

I mean every word,

even though you balk

that you didn’t win first

trophies and baubles,

money and awards,

collect those ribbons—

what does it matter?

if your every worth

hinges on a flimsy fix,

then nothing you do

will ever be enough

so you didn’t win it all—

there are more people

where you came from

than those on pedestals

“go get ‘em, tiger”—

yes, I’ll say it aloud,

but just know that you

are worth so much more