Flattery

The mind likes to be paid through flattery

In quantity and quality, or there’s looming misery

When self-flattery gets the start

The mind is difficult to outsmart

If the mirror could reflect speech

It may restrict a flatterer’s reach

The words we imbibe carry a hidden price

Unless it is bitter heartfelt advice

When the bitterness of truth isn’t taken to heart

The sweetness of flattery will finally depart

The debt collector won’t emerge as thoughts

To tie up freedom in convoluted knots

Time does not stop for flattering words

They only sharpen time’s swords

Clipping the rope of life, a lucky gift

Flattery makes time’s passage swift