One does not simply
show up
to a masquerade
without a mask.
Which should I wear
today?
The Narcissist?
Or The Dark Empath?

Except, of course,
nobody thinks like that..
Reducing the complexities
of our relational reality
to labels such as this..
affects the way we act.

It makes us see
the other
not as a holistic
individual..
but as a role
that they are playing
relative to us.

And if you choose
to frame somebody
as a villain in your story..
you make it difficult
for either of you
to develop
healthy trust.