Living by Victory

Let those who diminish you find joy in it—
grant them that joy.

Let those who wish to grow by keeping you small
have their wish.

Let those who feed on your suffering smile—
let them smile.

Let those who conquer you through fear
taste victory.

Let those who steal your peace and sleep soundly in it
sleep undisturbed.

Let those who laugh as they demolish your inner richness
keep laughing.

Let those who fight with you to win
win.

Let those content with your performance
be content.

Let those who thrive on mistreatment
thrive.

Let those who find ease in shouting
have their ease.

Let those who claim victory by ignoring you
have their victory.

Let those who taste dominion when you cower in fear
taste it.

Let those who bind you with suspicion and wound you with words
bind you further.

Let those who keep you restless under the guise of love
rob you of peace.

You will give all this, not because
you love them.
Rather, you will give it precisely because
they love you;
and because they love you,
they have made clear—
before it is too late—
that to save yourself
from certain death,
you must sever this bond
and flee.