Reciprocation

Have you ever noticed
that some people thrive on
being noticed, on receiving
compliments or congratulations,
noticeably preening, beaming
with pride and pleasure, yet
those same people cannot 
find it within their narrow
souls to note the accomplishments
of others, as though to do so
is beneath their dignity and
would diminish the impact of
their own successes. Generosity
of spirit clearly bypassed them
perhaps by choice when they
were selecting emotional
attributes from the womb.
Others' triumphs and achievements
seem to pain them, so they take
measures not to notice lest
the green worm of jealousy
contort and twist their viscera.