pride and insult

When praise comes your way,

sincere and unsought,

startle not, like a lifeless leaf

carried by a sudden wind

nor like the housefly,

scavenger, mistrustful

of anything that approaches.

if the wind surprises you so be it,

but hold the ground you stand on,

and allow the praise to flow,

to be brought inside and processed

to be digested as it seeks.

let it unwrap its contents

so you can see the truth it holds.

let it reach your steady mind

to see and understand.

dare to unwrap it,

lest you see only its wrapper

and become thoughtlessly flattered,

proud, inflated, or you shut your ears

to the message that comes to you.

accrue no obligation nor flattery

see what is.

When insult comes your way,

sincere and unsought,

startle not, like a snake caught off-guard

who strikes back like a spring released

nor like the cornered dog

who only conceives

of the fight and the flight.

if the sting surprises so you be it,

but hold the ground you stand on,

and allow the insult to flow,

to be brought inside and processed

to be digested as it seeks.

let it unwrap its contents

so you can see the truth it holds.

let it reach your steady mind

to see and understand.

dare to unwrap it,

lest you see only its wrapper

and become thoughtlessly angered,

hurt, resentful, or you shut your ears

to the message that comes to you.

accrue no reprisal nor misery

see what is.