The First Accolade
The accolade which you should be
Extremely cautious of
Is the first one that you get
When they all show their love
It feels good to get acclaim
To hear all of their praise
But warning flags should go up and
One of your eyebrows raise
How many times has praise poured in
And then next day or two
No one seems to be talking
About little old you?
How many times have we seen folks
Let themselves get too high
Only to come crashing down
When the kudos run dry?
And how often have we let that
Happen to us as well?
Seems so quiet, doesn’t it
When no one’s there to swell
Our ego or our pride with praise
And applause and esteem
Makes us feel like it was all
A momentary dream
Whenever I hear someone say
“I’m so depressed because
I had a blast but now it’s done
I miss all of their buzz”
I say to them, “That’s ‘cause you’re hooked
Just like on drugs or booze
You didn’t think responsibly
And now you’ve got the blues
You let that first accolade sink
Too deep within your mind
Took it far too much to heart
And let it leave you blind
To your own humility
Reserve and resignation
Wanting more and more and more
Addicted to ovation
And now that there’s no more to hear
No more pats on the back
You talk about how down you are
And mope like a sad sack”
No, I don’t pull my punches
This warrior shoots straight
With whoever doesn’t have
The gracious, thankful trait
To be appreciative of all
The love and support shown
To just forget it all and dwell
Kvetch and bitch and moan
About how down and sad they are
Because there’s no one still
To kiss their ass and stroke their pride
And make their ego fill
If you’re the type who smokes a cig
Finishes and then
Immediately grabs another
And smokes once again
If you’re the type who eats a cookie
Then grabs another one
Scarfs it down and then repeats
Until the box is done
If you’re the type who plays a level
In a video game
And then another, and another
Until your thumbs are lame
If you’re the type who takes a drink
Then has another shot
And keeps going until you puke
And stomach starts to rot
If you’re the type of person who
Receives an accolade
And instead of being humble
Letting it just fade
If you feel the need for more
If more praise makes you swell
You haven’t thought about what the
Next day will soon foretell
‘Cause accolades are not like smokes
Or cookies or a game
There’s no way to go on a binge
Of awards and acclaim
You will end up like those I’ve mentioned
Junkies in withdrawal
Who gobbled up those accolades
And then were left to bawl
“You’re too kind” is a good way
To respond to first praise
“It was nothing” and “Aw, shucks”
Are other humble ways
“Nice of you to say that,” is
A great way to return
The compliment to who it’s from
And shield you from the burn
Just be humble with that first
Accolade that you get
The less you care about rewards
The less that you will fret
And feel depressed when next day comes
And no one’s there to clap
Don’t let that first accolade
Be your ungrateful trap
Miro
Speak up, fellow Warrior!