To all those who dislike me,
To any who holds grudges against me,
And even to those who play pretend with me to save face,
I know you’re playing nice to get some lore,
And the moment I look away,
Your kind smiles turn sharp like daggers,
I see you all huddled ‘round your firepit,
Ready to burn the pages of my story and your tales.
You collected the info in preparation,
Began spinning the gossip like its treasure,
Trading mischief, Sharing cackles,
Reciting that same tired narrative,
From the well-worn script,
As if my failings could fill your void,
As if my shortcomings could erase the emptiness,
The mistakes of my youth ignites your flames,
Even as we find ourselves aging with the blink of an eye.
I genuinely wish the best for each of you,
Truly, I do,
May your aspirations flourish vibrantly
While the darkness recedes swiftly,
I understand how envy can weigh you down,
How anger can seep into your soul and poison it,
And how sorrow can tangle your…
