Pride is not simply hubris

Yet it still can make us shudder

Pride is not the weight of an incubus

Which lies on the chest of another

It is the lust for satisfaction

A need for praise

But nothing more than a simple reaction

A warm feeling from the sound of a phrase

It’s sneaky and slimy and sticky

It hides in shadows between the teeth

Spotting it could be quite tricky

Then you’ll see what’s underneath

But do not dare dim the light

For what is pride

When hidden out of sight

And disgustingly denied