Poem on Acceptance

Many times in life,
we seek acceptance.
We want those around us
to like us.

Some will go to the extent
to always please those around.
Putting on a show,
or simply joining in on the show.

I would lie if I did not say
that I wanted to be liked,
but it has always been different
and in a way that is different.

I am not malleable
by the whim of others.
I adopt those whose acceptance
is a genuine acceptance.

Those who do not like me
I distance myself
avoiding the awkward conversations
or the fake conversations.

I have found in life
when you force a friendship
it never goes well,
even if you meant well.

As my small niece says
"people are mean."
And sadly there are mean people,
bullies, users, and callous people.

Unfortunately it is those
who are mean from the start
are those you don't have to worry about
because you already know what they are about.

You have to worry about the ones
who's relationship starts well
and somewhere it fades away
and the love and respect drift away.

That is when it hurts
beyond measure.
To lose something you held dear,
and have to say 'goodbye dear.'

I love my loved ones deep,
but I am a woman with pride.
I deserve to be liked,
by those I once liked.

When all the liking disappears,
what really is left?
Disappointment and sadness,
and no one wants to be consumed by sadness.

There is a time to be merry,
and there is a time to say goodbye.
We have to know when it's enough?
And that's when we will say 'enough is enough.'