A harsh word
a creation of doubt
The gentle criticisms
let alone those even louder

They stick they remain
are so often so easier to hear
than the others
the compliment, the things done well
the things inside so great

The hardness of taking the compliment
the ease of hearing the tease
The often struggle to find a belief
that the questions keep poking and prodding at

Why so loud the noise of critique
that makes complimentary so hard to listen to
Is discomfort somehow the state more natural