it wasn’t your hypomania per se
nor your insane neediness for ego feed
ego greed, ohmygod,
I understand need, I do so understand
it was your toxic narcissism
taking without giving, taking and giving
poison for potion
it was your pushing of buttons
after I restrained my own toxic nature
learning to love as I learned of hate
anger displaced upon one not guilty
it was your reaction to trauma
unrefined by consciousness, untrained
and unrestrained upon one not guilty
my understanding only shielded me
so long . . .

dm pitchford 12/24/23