your congratulations

i wouldn't have compromised so much

so much of myself for fear of

having you hating me

i would've sung so loudly

it would've cracked myself!

i became self-conscious

of anything exuberant

i wouldn't have sold myself short

i wouldn't have kept my eyes

glued to the ground

if i had've known my invisibility

would not make a difference

i would've run around screaming proudly

at the top of my voice

i wouldn't have said it was in fact luck

i'm talking idealism here

i would not have been so self deprecating

i wouldn't have cowered

for fear of having my eyes scratched out!

i wouldn't have cut my comfort off

i wouldn't have feigned needlessness

i would not have discredited

every one of their compliments

it was your approval i wanted

your congratulations