Emotional Pollution

my experiences with toxic people

Family ties that refuse to bind,

The years of tears I'm leaving behind.

Searching for truth inside of me,

Accepting what is meant to be.

The time has come to leave behind,

Those who are toxic in mind.

That fake smile that wishes me well,

Is just a front for your secret hell.

You plot and lie to get your way,

Secrets kept from me today.

Cutting words fall from your lips,

Saved just for me - it's in your script.

Troubled minds that go astray,

Look to cause me pain today.

It's not okay to hurt the ones,

You tell others you claim to love.

The two faces I clearly see,

You save it secretly for me.

They never get to see the side,

Of the face in which you skillfully hide.

What is the gain? I never could see,

To strip away my sanity?

No rhyme or reason for fake concern,

It is these bridges I must burn.

They feign a smile behind empty eyes,

No concern for their hurtful lies.

Your judgment spills like a bloody wound,

Stab me with words to spread your doom.

Poison spills from dirty lips,

Bruise my skin with cold hard fists.

You are cold & void inside,

Come down off that pedestal from which you've climbed.

I have no need for tears this day,

You will not bruise my heart today.

I am not weak- you can't hold me down.

I'll smile again and lose this frown.

The poison you have spewed on me,

Will sicken you instead, you'll see.

Today my heart will smile with joy,

It is this happiness I will employ.

I'll count my blessings, this you'll see...

Your toxic rant no longer batters me.

You refuse to rise from that cold dark place,

I prefer the warm sunshine upon my face.

Today I've closed and locked that door,

You will not take from me anymore.

For I have spent years finding my way,

This sunshine you will not take away.

Reviews

[Leo]

I admire your usage of figurative language and find your poem quite heartfelt and genuine..easy to read ..I am a fan of rhythm in poetry and through your beautiful rhythm I felt the heartbeat of your poem resonating with my own..the title is awesome and a great match with the content..

I have toxic family members of my own and since I'm attached to them I try and choose to still love them yet sever those invisible attachment threads which are hard to get rid of because it's more biological or in the genes..however there's always a way..meditation helps..and as you said in your poem "sunshine" is equally vital for me and I touched on it in my poem, unchained..sunshine literally overrides my weariness whether it be physical. mental or emotional..it was pleasure reading your poem!

[Coyote Poetry]

You taught a wise lesson in the words. Poison of bad actions and words. Will create needed separation and new place for the abuse person.
"Today I've closed and locked that door,
You will not take from me anymore.
For I have spent years finding my way,
This sunshine you will not take away."
The above lines are true and solid. Thank you for sharing the outstanding poetry.
Coyote

[alifeacoustic]

The poison you have spewed on me,
Will sicken you instead, you'll see.
That is so true. It is only through the bile of self loathing and not being the man he thinks he should be that he takes out his own hatred on those closest to him.
Will you move on, yes.
Will you hold your head high, yes.
Will you learn from your past yes.
I doubt he will answer yes to any of these questions. Let him wallow in his hatred of his own making.
Beautifully written, capturing both the torment and release.
Thank you for sharing.

[Nicholas Martin]

I like how your attitude changes at the end :) you finally rise up and overcome. This was a nice poem.

[Connie]

thank you, I appreciate that