Merit Thief

She thanked me for the gift.
I begin my reply.

Wish it was more, I write.
Wish it was better too.

About to hit send…Stop.
Why can’t I accept thanks?

Why be a merit thief?
Why give away value?

Delete. Delete. Delete.
You’re welcome, I say. Send.

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This is a poem I wrote after I caught myself about to turn a note of thanks/compliment I received into something negative. I caught myself and forced myself to accept it even though my first inclination was to say that I wasn’t good enough and that my gesture wasn’t as good as it could have been. This is a skill I’m working on…accepting praise and just saying a nice word in return rather than demeaning or diminishing my efforts.