You are genuine, kind, and loving by nature
a light they can not replicate,
only consume.
The world is full of unkind vampires,
drawn not to your face,
but to the warmth behind your eyes.
They do not know how to kindle their flame,
So they steal from your fire instead.
You’ve met them before;
The manipulator, the mastermind,
Feeding on fear and venom and pus,
They build castles of their pain
But even rage has its limits.
They cannot touch your golden light
Because you took the same pain
And spun it into beauty instead
Of letting it curdle within.
Your gift is not a curse
Seeing how people came to be
Is not an invitation for thieves.
You do not have to stay.
You have watched and listened,
Your discernment is a sharpened blade.
Do not be afraid to wield it
When they inevitably show their teeth.
To myself