Man's empty praise

Man's empty praise

by Joel Howard

Whether, "You're big enough,"

or "You're too small," 

"You're never enough,"

or "Now you're tall!"

Man's praise and criticism

fall short

Whether, "Wow!"

or, "Ew!"

"Look elsewhere,"

or, "Look at you!"

It's foolish to 

lean into men

When my daughter tells me

she is small, so small

When quietly she

resigns herself to low worth

I say, 

"Baby if anyone tells you

you're small, say to them: 

"'My daddy loves me

My daddy says I'm beautiful

My daddy says I'm big

My daddy says I'm worthy

Your words, friend, are empty

No matter what you say

My daddy says I'm worthy

And I'm keeping it that way'"

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