Belittled Poem by RIC BASTASA

no one treats you
like you do
like the way
you treat yourself
so you shall be
treated
the way you
want
to be treated

if belittled
it is because
you have
belittled yourself

as Eleonore
once said
no one makes
you inferior
without your
consent

belittled
because you
belittle yourself
you feel
just the way
you deserve it

try standing up
with dignity
try integrity
and honesty
and a clean
life free from
the stains
of corruption
and pornography
exploitation
and oppression

free from
the dictates
of caprice
and evil
and guilt
and whims

hold on to
a clean life

something
that you can
start with &
be proud of

and then
we shall follow

we shall return
what you have
given, my friend

and then we shall
say
we are proud of you
and then
you will hear
how our hands
also know
how to applaud
those
who dignify
themselves