The 101 of How to Praise (someone you love)

Uncut Poetry

To receive praise is a need and how to praise is an art. We tend to be so focused on fulfilling our own desires, that we forget that so many of these fulfillments happen because someone else went on a limb for us. Do we always acknowledge? Or do we just move on, unthinkingly? And the irony is that those who support us silently, who give the wind beneath our wings without being asked, are the ones who need acknowledgement the most. The strange thing about giving to someone you love is that you even give in the worst of times - and without any gratitude in return, and often it empties you, and you question yourself, but you carry on - you still find reservoirs from where you pour yourself out. And then acknowledgement comes, often as a look, often as a touch, often as a lump in the throat - and in no time you are full again. And how should we praise? How can something which is quietly done, often life-saving, invariably invaluable, be ever repaid? Nothing can match love's silent act in value, intent, or intensity. So you can only be like the winter sun - warm without being cloying, present in spite of the cold, generous because that's what your nature should be. If you liked this poem, consider listening to these other poems which talk of the gentlest of feelings -

• It Takes a Long Time to Arrive From Not Very Far Away
• Tea with Naomi Shihab Nye
• Tenderness

Find other magical things, like a lovely free chapbook of poems, and other resources here. Uncut Poetry has started a new Podcast called Red River Sessions (on Spotify, iTunes, Pocket Casts, etc), where we will talk to published poets, about their poetry, their craft and what haunts them. It is brought to you by Red River, which is the premier independent publisher of poetry books, and Uncut Poetry. I am Sunil Bhandari.

I am a poet based out of India. My book of poetry 'Of Love and Other Abandonments' was an Amazon bestseller. My second book is 'Of Journeys & Other Ways to Get Lost'. Both are available on Amazon.

Follow me on Instagram at @sunilgivesup.

Get in touch with me on [e-mail] The details of the music used in this episode are as follows - Winter Night by Frank Schröter
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/6910-winter-night
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license