Recipe for Gaslighting

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Dice their words.

Grate them down until

not even they

can remember what they said.

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Add a half a cup of truth.

Incriminate them of fraudulence

so they question

their own integrity.

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Mix in a quarter cup of charm

to reduce the tension.

Convince them

how much they need you.

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Stir in a tablespoon of apologies

to hide your subtle

accusation:

It’s their fault.

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Gently fold in a quarter cup

of abandonment.

They hold on tighter.

It would be their failure if you left.

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Sprinkle in a pinch of affection

infused with false kindness

to intermittently reinforce

their need for you.

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Top it off generously

with timely insults

obscured

under the guise of good intention.

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Marinate in the words,

“You’re right.”

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- s.g.

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Other great reads:

needles

Split