Unacknowledge recognition.
How could I be pushed to succeed-
by something so oxymoronic and invisible?

The spontaneous outbursts of appreciate,
do they make it worth while?

I strive to show them-
my best,
I strive to be their best-
I go unnoticed,
still in silence.

I race faster toward my goal,
chants of praise thunder in my head,
still not good enough,
but I feel better now.

Where am I to run to,
when I no longer-
have the beauty of gratitude-
spoken or unspoken,
to fuel my broken heart?