Ballad of the Narcissist

I found this poem on a website that offers advice to assist someone who must deal with a narcissist in their life, (i.e. parent, child, spouse). It is an attempt to help you understand their illness from their perspective and I believe it offers true insight into what lies beneath the veil of arrogance, selfishness, distance and aggression.

Ballad of the Narcissist

When I said that I would leave you I really meant don't let me go

And instead of saying yes to you I said, "I'll let you know"

I put myself above you so you'd think me some great prize

And blamed my faults upon you all because of my false pride

So I know you have good reason for complaining like you do

I never really thought of you just to mine own ego was I true

But the truth is I'm embarrassed for how badly I behaved

And for being such a coward I really am ashamed

Cause I don't want you to guess just how helpless that I feel

And that I don't know how to save you even though my love is real

There is so much I have to learn still and if you're needing proof

Just look at how I twist and turn and struggle with the truth

I cannot be your hero and I don't always understand

And I really just want you to see the child within this man

I'm so scared that you will leave me when you see my act a sham

And that I gave up long ago on being loved for who I am

I need you to be virtuous and let me tag along

Set me goals I can accomplish and praise me where you can

Not for the act just for the steps I take to become a man

So love and please don't leave me and help me learn to get along

Stop crying and getting angry cause it's really you who's strong

To make me feel bad won't change things cause I'm already wracked with shame

And sometime you must say no to me and kindly say my name

And if I'm being brutish you must make me face the law

You must show concern with courage if you want my heart to thaw

And I'm trying hard to trust you which I don't know how to do

And I hope you can forgive me and I hope that we're not through.