O.D.

If you believe in “High-Value Men”

Accept the existence of “High-Value Women”

And the likelihood that you’re neither of them.

– O.D. ©2022

Art by: petomandik

What do I believe in? None of this nonsense. I think this particular brand of rhetoric is damaging (and useless). Basing value judgments on highly subjective estimations encourages people to think they can place value on anyone at any time. It encourages those who are inclined to judge others to have yet another cudgel they use to validate their misinformed opinions.

Think for yourself. Don’t let society tell you where to find what matters and what you should care about.

“Thinking is difficult, therefore let the herd pronounce judgment” – Carl Jung

There’s beauty to be found through the crystallized experiences in our shared reality

Because these experiences don’t negotiate with the whimsy of the self-deluded.

There’s beauty, in knowing, for a fact; that everyone eventually learns of death.

That no one has lived long enough

To tell us they haven’t.

– O.D. ©2022

Art by: ArthurHenri

I can’t tolerate liars, especially those who lie to themselves and try to force-feed their delusional realities. Makes me appreciate the undeniable far more; no matter how morbid.

Death is one of those things that we (as humans) can’t deny. We all hit the dirt eventually.

And I think that’s hauntingly beautiful. A masterclass in human design and world-building, God.

Because karma may not get you; you may even sleuth your way out of your own mess — tricking yourself and others into thinking you’re clever.

But death? Good luck.

(Hell of a way to return after being absent for a month lol I swear I mean well)

(1) To Lure A Svengali

(2) To Snare A Svengali

*

You’d have me believe that life is a race

Governed by the likes of your kind

If only you looked closer at the tartan track, you’d notice,

That I’m not only a participant in this “race” —

—I’m the gun-wielding starter —

— The roaring crowd — the checkered flag waver.

It surprises no one, but you — pay attention —

— I am the whole stadium.

You’re a bystander — a potential witness — to how I’m highly favoured,

Drop the Svengali act and step aside —

I’m doing you a favour because you’re not even good at that.

Self-knowledge dictates I start and run my own races

Notice the scoreboard as I fill every vacant placement.

Such is the greatness of tempering incessant anguish.

No one is better at being me more than I’ll ever be;

As such, I work to outdo myself at every single opportunity.

The gems I excavate on my worst days have more weight.

In pursuit of depth, they touch base with the Earth’s core

With a fluency that dwarfs what you’d parse to me as amazing.

Should be a borderline crime, enduring such levels of basic,

Especially at the cost of my patience.

Listen, I have love for humanity,

I have love for who we are

Who we could be — our flaws and all — but —

I have no love for you. I’ve searched, but I have none to spare.

Specifically for you and those like you.

Because no well-meaning human carries themselves

The way that you do. 

– O.D. ©2022

Art by: ArthurHenri

It only takes one moment.

One moment, for the mask feigning compassion to fall

Then you’ll know;

Oh, you’ll know …

That narcissists aren’t human.

– O.D. ©2022

Art by: ArthurHenri

Tell me, what god do you pray to?

Tell me their name. What god allows you to believe —

— That you’re above the unrealistic expectations you set for others?

What god convinces you murder in their name is justified?

Reflect on my series of rhetorical questions.

Amend your statement:

“You meant the devil”

– O.D. ©2022

Art by: Rashedjrs

Choose to behave like a problem;

Expect to be treated like one.

– O.D. ©2022

Art by: ArthurHenri

There’s only one person better than me

And that’s the me I’m yet to be.

– O.D. ©2022

Art by: ArthurHenri

I’ve been working on my cocktail of emotions and chemical imbalances

I’ve been working on feeling less subsumed into you

Wondering whether I’m justified in thinking of you the way that I do

— Whether I’ve done enough soul-searching to validate this love trip.

Excuses — Truth is, I believe I could love you in ways outside the knowable

Applying novelty to the core of our theoretical relationship

Turning it into known reality with the proficiency of a fluent newscaster;

Converting doubters to believers like prosperity pastors and preachers.

I don’t just like, I put skin in the game and love deeply.

Enough to touch the sea floor and then more, unearthing hidden gems

Cut and polish them till they give an intergalactic glare

Even after all that I’d go ahead and throw them away,

Simple, because no matter the appraisal

They’d never be good enough.

The things I would do for you leave me terrified;

I’m the type to write — and write — and write about you

Slide pieces your way like the Queen’s Gambit

Till I have no recollection which version of the two is you.

My mind tells me to stop — Stop, young lion

So much for that ephemeral high, it was good while it lasted;

Insight reins in my heart how a shepherd would their sheep.

I work better when distractions are not central to my reality.

In the face of human suffering, the world has many illusory antidotes.

To maintain my sanity, I refuse to make you one of them.

– O.D. ©2022

Art by: Pegaite