Perception

Kick me when I'm down.
Tempt me at my weakest.
Taunt me when I can barely keep
my head above water.
Twist my perceptions,
through gossip,
so I don't know what's true any more.
Laugh at me as I stumble blindly.
When I'm crawling, you ridicule,
belittle, humiliate me.

"How pathetic", you cry.
"How pathetic you are", I respond,
"that you delight in a fight
when I'm already down".

"How weak you are", you whisper in my ear.
"No weaker than you", I respond,
"if you can only bring me lower".

"I've won this battle", you crow.
I look at you.
"But you've lost the war."