Cut them off
Let them be
in their bubble
It’s not worth the trouble
and effort
or at the very least – I would purport
establish solid
non-porous
boundaries
Let sleepings dogs lie
instead of fruitlessly flogging dead horses
continually forcing
yourself to sit
in rooms with elephants
Their narcissism
and heartlessness
isn’t worth the energy
that you can put to far better use
by inviting others
to feel the sense
of liberty
sincerity
respect
trust
and safety
in the ally
you can be to them
if you let them in
if they let you in
and you allow each other to see
what meaningful bonds are meant to look like
in a world crippled
by inauthenticity
Sometimes the greatest give you can upon yourself bestow
is to let people who you once considered friends and family
become people you now simply
know
AN FRAOCH 