narcissist

Summary

The poem "narcissist" reflects on a daughter's complex and often painful relationship with her controlling and self-centered father.

Abstract

The poem delves into the emotional turmoil of a daughter who endures her father's verbal abuse and manipulation. Despite recognizing that she will mourn at his funeral, she acknowledges that his behavior was not loving or caring. Her father's attempts to instill fear and keep her dependent are seen as a means to bolster his own self-esteem. The daughter notes the irony in her father's accusations of her not listening, as he is the one who often dismisses her words and shows disinterest in her life. The poem paints a picture of a narcissistic parent who views life as a competition and cannot accept his daughter's independence or differing opinions, ultimately revealing the daughter's struggle with feeling both privileged and trapped in her relationship with her father.

Opinions

The father's behavior is perceived as abusive and self-serving, using fear to control his daughter.
The daughter feels an obligation to appreciate having her father in her life despite his emotional abuse.
The father lacks genuine interest in the daughter's life, often interrupting or diverting conversations to suit his own needs.
The daughter recognizes the toxicity of her father's competitive view of life and his inability to accept her autonomy.
The poem conveys a sense of irony and sadness regarding the father-daughter relationship, highlighting the emotional distance and lack of true understanding between them.

A poem

what a privilege to have a father still

I tell myself when he yells at me for no obvious reason other than his pugnacity

I know I will cry at his funeral but it does not mean he was loving or caring

although he claimed to want the best for me by making me scared of the world

it was his way of trapping me at home holding me close, abusing me as a source for his own self-esteem

today he’s told me I don’t listen it makes me smile

how ironic

he often leaves the room when I speak when he gets bored of my narration because he was never interested in the first place which is why he interrupts me or asks about people I haven’t talked to in years

every person a potential competitor life a race and heaven turning to hell if I disagree with him or want to go my own way

what a lucky daughter I am.