By Alex Muhindo

Can a simple compliment make someone feel irresistible, confident or deeply loved? In “Compliments,” Alex Muhindo explores the surprising power of praise through humour, romantic imagery and playful exaggeration. From lovers exchanging sweet words to ordinary people discovering new confidence, the poem celebrates how appreciation can transform the way we see ourselves and others.

Yet beneath its cheeky humour lies a thoughtful reminder: compliments are most meaningful when they are sincere, deserved and given at the right time.

Compliments are like butter on bread
That makes love never fade!
They’re the wafer on which lovers are fed
In love’s communion—a sacrament no spade
Can scatter, for it’s the creek
That quenches the thirst of every love freak!

A mere “I’ll paint your ovaries”
Is enough to make her conjure the discoveries
She’s going to undertake
To attain the icing on this cake!

Compliments are unisex!
With them, you can lift someone up to the apex!
Like Weezy, they’ll blind you to what one does on the streets
And make you focus on what he does in the sheets…

Compliments are also a spell,
With a charming force so hard to quell!
They make a skinny boy appear as a bull
And grow wings as though he’s sipped Red Bull!

They’ll make a boring chap think he’s a court jester,
Oblivious to his dry jokes, with no humour to register!
They’ll make a one-minute man think he’s Giovanni Casanova,
Despite the poor application of his cassava!

Compliments! Oh, compliments ought to be given where they’re due,
On time—not long overdue!
When given honestly, they can incite
Inspiration, hard work and insight!

Regardless, we need them—we need them!
That’s my anthem!

— Alex Muhindo