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Feeding One's Vanity

This poem is a meditation on vanity, power, and the legacy that remains after death. Human beings often seek glory, achievement, recognition, and admiration, hoping that their names will endure. Yet the poem asks whether fame is truly what survives, or whether people are remembered instead for the harm, division, and resentment they leave behind.
Through the repeated imperative, “Praise,” the poem presents a figure consumed by self-glorification. However, each stanza concludes by revealing what remains after death—not honor, but disgrace, hatred, ridicule, division, and eventually oblivion. The work thus becomes a sharp satire of ego and power, while reminding readers that a person's legacy is determined not by self-praise but by the memories others carry forward.
The final line, “That was all that person was,” strips away every illusion of grandeur and leaves a stark judgment on the limits of human vanity.


 Feeding One's Vanity

Praise my glory.

Praise my achievements.

Though I die,

my honor shall remain.

Praise my vanity.

Praise my self-admiration.

Though I die,

my disgrace shall remain.

Praise my obsession.

Praise my intimidation.

Though I die,

my hatred shall remain.

Praise my greed.

Praise my mockery of others.

Though I die,

my ridicule shall remain.

Praise my long life.

Praise my miracle.

Though I die,

oblivion shall remain.

Praise my nation.

Praise my people.

Though I die,

division shall remain.

Praise my life.

Praise my dignity.

Though I die,

a history of shame shall remain.

Written on June 4, 2026.

That was all that person was.

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