Stroking Egos

is it for acceptance
or personal glory?
numbers serve only
as ego strokers
swollen beyond recognition
claiming spotlights'
cold glow of indifference
in a quest for
validation of others
strike me off your lists
for i need them not
ostracise me for my own sake
i search for no one's approval
to be is to write
and to write is validation
in itself
so take your accolades
and give them to someone
who needs their ego stroked
my own was buried
years ago
along with my dignity
and self respect
never to be exhumed