Mental Chess

My father taught me checkers,
But Hank taught me chess,
He defined the roles of king and queen,
Of bishop, knight, pawn, and rook
And permitted moves that each one took.

“Offense is my defense,” he’d say.
Everything he did was planned.
He calculated every ploy and play.
Tricked and trapped at every turn,
His strategy I’d never learn.

But then one day I changed the rules
And started doing things my way.
I called his bluff and claimed abuse.
Dumfounded I did not obey,
His gambit up, I flew the roost.

Learn how to avoid dating a narcissist and how to use Strategic Transactional Communication to change the power dynamics in an abusive relationship. This will restore your autonomy and raise your self-esteem. Follow the steps and scripts in Dating, Loving, and Leaving a Narcissist: Essential Tools for Improving or Leaving Narcissistic and Abusive Relationships. You’ll be empowered to evaluate and improve your relationship or leave if you choose. Don’t wait! An abuser (or controller) won’t change until you do, and the relationship won’t improve until you get stronger.

© Darlene Lancer 2024