How to vanish by appeasing a predator
A poetic 'How to'
It's a pretty simple recipe really.
Just say yes - yes yes yes...
Smile always - do not dare frown
Do not have unique feelings or opinions
(Not unless they match mine exactly of course)
Always always always say sorry (especially when it is not your fault)
Begging forgiveness gets you extra brownie points
(especially when you did nothing wrong)
And altering the parts of your personality that make you shine, that make you strong,
Well, that's the cherry on the cake for me.
Get rid of your strengths, your passions, your connections
The more you shrink,
The more you vanish.
The smaller YOU become
And the bigger I become!
Until it is as if you are not even a person who is separate from me
You are merely a reflection of me and my wants
An extension of my insecurities and desires
How dare you defy me?
By not disappearing?
You do as I say,
And get as small and weak as I need you to be;
Keep smiling
Keep nodding
Swallow my lies
Keep looking in my eyes
And tell me you love me
THAT is how you vanish
Let me conquer you,
All in the name of love.
About the Creator
Karen Cave
A mum, a friend to many and I love to explore dark themes and taboos in my writing.
Hope you enjoy! I appreciate all likes, comments - and please share if you'd like more people to see my work.
Karen x
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Standing While Falling
Quotation from Friedrich Nietzsche "He who wrestles long with monsters should beware lest he himself become a monster. And if you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you. Man is not destroyed by suffering, but by the meaning he makes of it."
By LUCCIAN LAYTH6 days ago in Critique
Comments (20)
Great take! Congratulations!
congratulations on top story
Chillingly accurate and powerfully delivered. You captured the quiet erosion of self with haunting clarity. A necessary mirror to toxic control disguised as love.
Your words touched me more deeply than I expected—sometimes we write through pain, and sometimes we heal through someone else’s. Thank you for reminding me that stories like ours matter. I’m also someone who writes from a place of struggle and silent strength. Following you now—and I’d be honored if you ever visit my corner of Vocal too. We rise when we lift each other.
Powerful and beautifully written! 🩵
Powerful poem, congrats on your Top Story!
Well wow! That is an amazing poem! The how-to is so extremely detailed in its... awfulness I loved it! A truly outstanding poem and I hope you score in the challenge!
Your words touched me more deeply than I expected—sometimes we write through pain, and sometimes we heal through someone else’s. Thank you for reminding me that stories like ours matter. I’m also someone who writes from a place of struggle and silent strength. Following you now—and I’d be honored if you ever visit my corner of Vocal too. We rise when we lift each other. Read less
Congratulations on your top story 🥰
Your words truly touched me. If you ever have a moment, I’d love for you to glance at my first story — I’m new here."
Awsome 👍
Wow, this is a powerful and heartbreaking piece. I wish we could say this never happened
So heartwrenching :( I think a lot of people can relate to this, sadly.
awesome btw . >>true vibes
the subtle violence that takes place in the name of love
Great approach to the challenge and really on point!. Great stuff.
This is out of standing
can you support me i can support you
This is fantastic
This is heartbreakingly true, but beautifully written.