Years of ersatz compliments
Absorbed and believed,
Positive compliments ignored
For not aligning with beliefs
Instilled from birth.

Awareness of ego‘s need for
Reassurance and
Validation
No matter how false
As long as feeding insatiable negative self belief.

Yet also curiosity
To know how one is seen.

Yet also a knowing that the body is yet a trifle,
Compliments meaningless
Just flattery and opinion and
Not to be believed.

What’s true? What’s not?
All tangled knots to trip you up.
Or perhaps there’s a ploy afoot
To stop
Unknown feelings arising
In fear of where they may lead.....