“An ode to manipulators”

They knock not once, but simply stay
A shadow walking through your day
They never bare a single tooth
But speak in tongues that mimic truth

They praise your fire, then drain the flame
And call the ashes by your name
They lift you up to watch you fall
Then swear you never flew at all

They claim to know the path ahead
Then lead you where your hopes have bled
They build you walls, then steal the floor
Each gift they give becomes a chore

They never yell, they never shove
They wrap their harm in twisted love
And when they smile, you feel the sting
A puppet pulled on unseen string

They plant their roots inside your mind
Then twist the fruit that you might find
They dim your soul to match their shade
And sip the light your laughter made

Each tale they tell is half a theft
A veil around the truth that’s left
They cry for help and play the meek
While feeding off the ones who speak

And when they’re full, they float away
To find fresh light they can betray
Another heart, another game
A brand-new spark to burn in shame