Surviving Sympathy

Worried so by watching the anguish 
Telling myself I would not cause that pain
Such a complicated matter I couldn’t know
The tears would be a constant refrain

Manipulation learned ever so gradually 
Perhaps once those tears were real
Along the way they discovering a method 
Determining how to make others feel

Obviously twisted thinking
No perception of the hurt and hate
Generating tears for their own well-being 
Lust for pity they can’t satiate 

Their rude behavior creating anger
Those exposed coming to know the ways
Slowly running out of sympathy 
Learning to seek better days

For your own survival remove yourself 
No reason to endure what they create 
Find your own peace avoiding drama
Until you have lived it you won’t relate

Lessons in life like a military battle drill
More than once the same story told
Experience has given you a manual
React as learned and the solution will unfold 

JBentley-08Nov2023