From the Collection – In The Narcissist’s Shadow
This poem is a quiet crescendo — a turning point where grief meets resolve. It’s not just a reflection; it’s a reckoning with self-reliance. The emotional tone is one of longing, but also of rising — not because someone reached out, but because you have finally reached inward.
The Endless Horizon captures the ache of unmet emotional needs — the yearning for warmth, support, and kindness that never came. This aligns with the narcissistic trait of emotional withholding: the deliberate denial of affection, empathy, or validation to maintain control and keep the survivor in a state of longing and dependency.
The poem’s final shift — from waiting to acting — is the antidote to this manipulation. It’s the moment the poetess stops hoping for rescue and begins to rescue herself.
Where do I go from here,
lost in this maze?
What waits for me
beyond this endless night?
Is there anyone
to greet me with warmth,
Or will I have to
summon strength alone?
I long for solace
in the soft light of dawn,
A flicker of hope
to pierce my clouded heart.
I gaze at the horizon,
vast and unforgiving,
Searching for a glimpse
of brighter days ahead,
A fleeting promise
to rise above the storms,
To break the silence
where my spirit’s bled.
Through the cracks
of my broken world, I reach,
Yearning for a spark,
a sign that I belong.
Can I find refuge
in the waves’ embrace,
A raft to carry me
through turbulent seas?
Will I encounter kindness
in this emptiness,
A guiding hand to steady
my trembling pleas?
But what if I must
find the courage within,
To make the call and
shatter these chains alone?
So here I stand,
adrift upon the shore,
With every breath,
I search for something more.
Will I discover the peace
I crave so deeply?
Or must I forge my path
and break on through?
The endless horizon
beckons me to rise,
To leave behind my sorrow
and chase the skies.
And deep within,
I know I must act,
Whether someone helps or not,
I’ll break free.
Adrift, I’ve had enough
of this despair,
And trust in my own
strength to carry me.
For every step I take
brings me closer still,
To the life I deserve,
awakening my will.
Narcissistic Trait Reflection
Emotional Withholding
Definition:
Narcissists often withhold affection, empathy, or emotional presence as a form of control. They may ignore your needs, dismiss your pain, or offer love only when it benefits them. This creates a cycle of longing — where you stay, hoping they’ll return to who they were at the start.
Awareness Reminder:
If you find yourself begging for scraps of kindness, questioning your worth, or feeling lonelier in their presence than in solitude — pause. This trait often shows up when they punish you with silence, disappear during your pain, or make you feel needy for wanting connection. You deserve consistent care, not conditional crumbs.
Poetic Reflection:
You left me starving in a house full of food,
then called me dramatic for feeling hunger.
But I’ve learned to feed myself now—
and I no longer wait at your table.
Journal Prompt
What did you long to hear that was never said?
Write it now — not as a wish, but as a truth you give yourself.
*** You may journal in the Comments Section or keep your notes personal, but do take this chance to scribble a tiny bit of your pain away and open a window to healing.
