Pride

Growing shifted from seeing to believing.

I once saw the pride in their eyes,

heard the clap of their hands.

Over time that felt faded, ungenuine, rehearsed, 

I needed more than their eyes,

more than their hands,

I needed evidence of truth,

evidence of love and worth,

and that's when I grew.

That's when I heard the words,

"I'm proud of you".

I felt validated, unmatched

and the whole world opened.