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Double Standard

Subtitle

By Alexander McEvoyPublished 11 months ago 1 min read
Double Standard
Photo by Atharva Tulsi on Unsplash

Words don't mean what words mean

That's the lesson that you taught

When things get fraught

Suddenly your own methods turn mean.

-0-

Explosive blame

That's the name

Of this insipid game

Rendering conversation lame

Unable to walk again until I tame

My words so they're never the same

As the ones with which you take aim.

-0-

When said by me

Oh, could it be

A vile attack?

Not seeing how close it'll track

To what you've thrown before

Afraid of feeling the bite of what you have in store

For me

-0-

Abandon the discussion

Run and flee

Shut off your emotions

Deny comfort assuming

I refuse to go through the motions

And simply agree

That I am always wrong as a diversion

-0-

But that's not the way it works

Accepting the blame that you refuse to carry

Only shifts the line of attack

Because I forgot to pack

My knowledge that the most scary

Thing you can do is withhold the perks

Of being in your good graces

Because in this game you hold all the aces

-0-

Wild hyperbole

Denial of affection

Accpeting blame as a plan of assault

One used to disarm

But never intentionally to do harm

No

Never

Not even once

Sarcasm

A tool for use by you

A fool, to make of me when I try to make you see

The childish harm you insist doesn't exist

Blame

Always blame

Floating

Nebulous

Never to be taken by me

Only given as a cavalry charge once the lines are broken

And yet by that same token

Unable to be given you

Without a shout and a roar

Knowing that I have nothing in store

To face that awful roar

-0-

Emotions used like so sharp knives

Weilded skillfully against one who only strives

For understanding and conciliation

But the power wielded in unequal measure

To be abused at your leisure

Against the child who rises above his station

ElegyFree VerseMental Healthsocial commentaryStream of ConsciousnessFamily

About the Creator

Alexander McEvoy

Writing has been a hobby of mine for years, so I'm just thrilled to be here! As for me, I love writing, dogs, and travel (only 1 continent left! Australia-.-)

"The man of many series" - Donna Fox

I hope you enjoy my madness

AI is not real art!

Reader insights

Nice work

Very well written. Keep up the good work!

Top insights

  1. Compelling and original writing

    Creative use of language & vocab

  2. Easy to read and follow

    Well-structured & engaging content

  3. Heartfelt and relatable

    The story invoked strong personal emotions

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Comments (6)

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  • Angie the Archivist 📚🪶5 months ago

    Powerful poem & so sad, the power imbalance.

  • Alex H Mittelman 10 months ago

    Great work! I’ve dealt with people like this. They never get what they do wrong and always blame you for their behavior. You just have to cut them out of your life if you can’! Great work!

  • Mark Ryan10 months ago

    Not having your perspective seen is horrible.

  • Oh my, you portrayed a narcissist, manipulator and gaslighted so accurately! That's exactlyyyyyyy how it feels to be their victim. Are you okay, Alex? I sure hope this isn't based on your own experience 🥺 Sending you lots of love and hugs ❤️

  • Test11 months ago

    It's like you have a camera set up at my job.... love how relatable this is! Well done Alex!! Hope you're okay!

  • BrettNotGreg11 months ago

    This was poignant and very relatable to me. Great poem!

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