Writing generates
much self-satisfaction
especially when artfully done
Still we look for validation
Seeking recognition
From sources outside
Gold silver or bronze
Winning is that pat on the back
Somebody is listening and gets you
AP: Honorable Mention 2026
I look myself in the mirror
Recognizing my every error.
The constant pressure
To reach pleasure
The satisfaction of hearing ‘I’m proud’
I'm cowed.
As I’ve grown older
I’ve become bolder.
The wonders of acceptance
Are now resistant.
All the overthinking
All the overachieving
Is slowly sinking.
My testimony shows
All my knows.
The knows of trying
The knows of crying
The fear of dying
In the qualifying
Of being accepted.
I’ve been deceived
By what I’ve achieved.
I now know where I belong,
All the people I walk among
Their silent voices are wrong.
I am enough
I am tough
I am enough.
Being proud of yourself isn’t enough,
When your loved ones don’t think so.
Thinking you’re tough and strong,
Yet you can’t handle the pain you know.
Every time life starts getting rough,
You bury yourself deep and low.
I try to do things right each time,
But feel handcuffed by winds that blow.
It’s freezing out here, and I’ve nowhere to go,
The cold wind steals the warmth I hold.
And once it’s over, I’m back again—
Good for nothing, with nothing to show.
Algebra makes me feel stupid.
Equations and inequalities,
algebra makes me feel stupid.
I could have an A in the grade book, but that doesn't mean that I understand.
lost in class, barely turned that in on time.
Algebra makes me feel stupid.
So I drift into my own world.
But at least in my world, I'm not alone.
Algebra makes me feel stupid,
it's not my teacher's fault, but my own.
The problem is, I run on academic validation, more so than food or water,
so I sink.
pretend- and make them think
make them think I know what I am doing,
but I am on the brink.
the brink of failure.
Algebra makes me feel stupid.
once gifted, now barely scraping by.
once impressive
what makes me impressive?
certainly not my ability to solve complex algebraic expressions.
is it my ability to fake it?
to only raise my hand when I know the answer?
Is it too late?
is it too late to know the answers?
too late to say I don't understand and ask questions?
Algebra makes me feel stupid.
once excelling in school, now regular.
Validation
(A lone voice whispers)
Are there two types of characters in this world
To be seen
Ranging through love
To business, and everything else in-between
Those who do take risks, and those who hate taking chances, and making mistakes
Which one are you?
A.
A risk-taker
Or
B.
An idolater of stepping on the brakes
For sometimes,
Is it better to have known something
Briefly
That might have had real potential, to be truly special
Or would you rather linger lost
Forever
Taunted
By self-doubts, many whispering, red devils
(C) Copyright John Duffy
Foundation.
Would you rather be haunted by self-doubts, about taking chances?
With introspection?
Like an idolater who worships, stepping on the brakes?
Or are you courageous enough to take chances, and risk all, on something special.
With a high chance of making mistakes?
To never be lost, forever taunted
By self-doubts, many whispering red devils
Who'll appear right out of the minds, many gates?
(If you're reading this far, you must be a type A.
You have my Validation of being a risk-taker.
Hit like if you are. Salute)
How can a man be so talented yet stupid at the same time
Oh moon, how lucky you are to make poets your biggest admirers!
How they are so hungry to tell you how worthy you are
To be reminded time and again that you are loved
Someone, somewhere, everyday describing how beautiful you are
How is it that a man can write about you and become known
But the very man fails to highlight the the essence of a woman
He can go to the stars to pluck the words that fit you
But he calls it "effort" even to appreciate a lady
Is it because you are too far from reach or does he think she's easy
Why is that you steal the light
and she is left on the other side where the darkness trails
Why do you steal the spotlight and make him forget her existence
Well she can't be jealousy of you can she ?
Afterall, it is through his eyes alone where you shine brighter than all
But between us, we both know that we stand among the stars in the cosmic world
Know who you are
Your worth is immense
Your ideas are unique and
You can reach your destiny
Some will try to break you down
But they are building you up
They are scared of your value and
So they try to devalue you but
Still, you rise
The power of you has always been ready
The treasure inside of you
Must come out through the evolution of pressure!
Let your life not fear the wind of change
Because pressure will simply rearrange your character!
The gift of hope is found inside the pressure!
There is inside of you a hopeful fortitude
An endurance that shall not leave you
Because your destiny is beyond the pain!
As you maintain your sanity
You will discover the power of you!
Some will try to break you down
But they are building you up
They are scared of your value and
So they try to devalue you but
Still, you rise
Copyright 2024
Upon the stage of life, fair maidens dance,
Their bodies stage props , they feign romance,
With painted faces, and affected charms,
They play their roles, and bear society's harms.
Forced to conform, to the whims of men,
They wear the mask, and hide their true yen,
Society's rules, they must obey,
And true identities, they must betray.
But underneath the surface, lies a soul,
A flame that flickers, trying to take control,
A spirit that yearns, to break the chains,
And shatter the facade, that society maintains.
The world's expectations, they cannot abide,
Their passions and dreams, they must subside,
In darkness and shadows, they weep and mourn,
Their true selves, forever forlorn.
Oh, fair maidens, let not society's grasp,
Strangle your spirit, and make it gasp,
Rise up, be true, and break the mold,
Your identity, a treasure to behold.
No more pretense, no more disguise,
Unleash the flame, that within you lies,
Embrace your power, let it shine,
And the world shall see, your light divine.
For in the end, it matters not,
What society thinks, or what they taught,
But that you lived, as your truest self,
And in doing so, found true wealth
A gifted lover who uses emotions as a bargaining chip.
Tenacious in his grieving of a relationship that had so much potential.
A thick black book what holds the libido of lovers clinged together at a most unholy hour is his collection of conquests.
She would gladly borrow virginity if it meant a commitment on his part.
I've looked into the eyes of a promise I never meant and I can feel it's consequences creeping up as I prepare for the end of this journey.
Imagine the child
Whom on a daily basis
The only validation or commendation
They were ever given
Was that they were told
They were simply , less in fact
Good for nothing at all
You lack the basic concentration and skills
Required to contribute in order
To your own educational progression
A so called educator teacher themselves
Failed in their capacity and duty to read
And take the time to out
To investigate the fine print and clause
Regarding individuality and creativity
Because if they did
They would then save themselves
The future humiliation that lies ahead
When eventually the 1
Who they let slip through their nett
Comes back to haunt and bite them
And they do not only fail to thank them
Or mention them but rather instead
Smile and have a laugh at their expense
Without even having to do much as
Say a word or mention
Their name at all
I am hard on myself, for your presence lingers,
The weight of your judgment, my heart still remembers.
In your eyes, I sought approval and grace,
Yet I found only doubt, in my every embrace.
With each flaw magnified, I strive for perfection,
Your expectations, a relentless affliction.
But within this struggle, a truth starts to bloom,
The fault lies not in me, but in your own gloom.
For I am more than your standards allow,
A spirit unyielding, finding strength in the now.
In self-love's embrace, I'll break free from your view,
No longer defined by what you think I should do.
I am invisible today
Don't know where I did the mistake
I want validation
But no one actually cares
They're just pretending
And I am giving them my heart
They're giving me sympathy
Where I am decorating the love cart
I guess I don't want it now
And hope no one asks me why
And I know they'll not
As I have given it a try.
The time is now such
All must Dutch up.'
In 2023 speak out free.!
Value freedoms prize
Not humanity's demise
There's scum afloat
On a stagnant moat.'
Skim the surface
And ready the boats '
A peacock to some,
but to others a confident and close friend.
Confidence, humorous,
displays feathers,
selects the perfect mate.
Unbeknownst is he of the
defects
within his selection, too much time
lusting the outside,
never fully knowing the inside.
Secure in his vibrant colors,
overconfident that his mate would never stray.
Too concerned with the outward appearance
of those within their circle.
Neglected is she who grooms the offspring and tends the nest.
Healthier to leave to the injuries she's received,
yet flaws hold her bonded.
Too late you come with the validations
which she required.
Divulged is the straying
with those of lesser colors.
Injurious is it to your
prideful mantle.
Both are now imperfect,
insecure in being,
and require a pal full of time.
Divine look seeking approval, transforming one’s physical appearance, thoughts, opinions from others. Why? Approval seeking from others Why? One’s inner hearts, minds, bodies and soul validation strengthening to overcoming becoming a super achiever.
Look within your inner heart, mind, body and soul and approval of your own validation not other’s validation, find the strength to overcome becoming a super achiever in someone else’s vision of you for one’s validation of yourself is much more fulfilling than the approval stamp of others.
Sub Categories
Looking for the formal definition, structure, and history of this poetry form? Visit the Poetry Dictionary entry below. Then return to explore how PoetrySoup members bring the form to life through their own poems.