Initiative

is a word that people use
to describe the actions of others
when an action praises them,
without them asking for the flattery.
Nothing wrong with that.
But when the flattered take so well
to being surprised by praise,
that they think to themselves
that the sea bed is their universe,
the world is their oyster
and they are the object of tribute,
to be polished by praise
then others, plain as they are,
will disappoint them in the end.
Even as it seems too late
we have to be our own grit,
and resist the tidal shift
of ungraciously consuming
other people without their consent.