another "this is why we can't have nice things"

it turns out,

transcendent authenticity in action

has been largely a grave mistake.

a symbiotic give-and-take

where compassioned dedications

reduced me to no more than

a well-meaning mark

ripe for takers to fuel from at every turn.

"do unto others"

and "be the change you want to see"

are beautiful sentiments indeed,

but in practice they all but destroyed me.

because as it turns out,

when it comes to actually living

these timeless virtues humanity holds so dear,

accusations of martyrdom

and "that's just what they say"

are the unspoken real deals.

a profound lesson in heartbreak, indeed.