How Far Should A Man Go To Protect His Family From Narcissistic Family Members Poem by James McLain

the blood ties,
those ropes around the neck,
they don't strangle,
they just tug and tug
till you can't breathe right.

they call it love,
but it's a slow poison,
each word, each glance
dripping venom,
soft as a smile,
sharp as a blade.

you stand there,
the man of the house,
fighting shadows that don't die,
smiling at the lies
that pass for truth.

how far should a man go?
as far as it takes,
to burn the bridges
and drown the past
in whiskey and time.

they'll scream, they'll claw—
but you,
you walk away.