the used

the user brings with them a smile that
you’ve seen before
(that is, if you yourself have been
used) &
the initial interaction between the user & the
prospective guppy is one wherein the
user strikes with the most savage venom
whose face is a lethal combination of
sweet sensual seriousness,
bearing fruits of humor, sympathy &
all possibilities of relation that one can
muster
(if their intent is to dig the talons in so
that you act accordingly).

the user makes promises that no rational human being
could ever keep &
because it has latched itself on something inside the
prospective “to-be-used,”
the other party follows in sync because they feel the need or
possible insufficiency that exists inside them
can be filled or healed by the
user in question.

the user soars over the weakened much like a
vulture watching a dying animal
biding its time before that final swoop down
to claim its dinner.

engaging in friendships that will fade away quick
mentioning all those “untapped sources of potential”
(a topic which the now used is sold so well)
teaching new ways of shining bright in the spotlight
while referencing the importance of “staying real”
(killing two birds with one proverbial stone),
the user makes sure all the bases are covered.

and as the frequency of the user’s visits pile up
the blood is drained from the body of the used like a
gang of vampires on holiday who have just found a pool of
naiveté deep in the regions of nowhere &
here is where they can do the most damage---
for when the desperate show their true colors,
the users come out of the woodwork to claim their
prize.

there is no happy ending here
no moral of the story,
for the only way to recognize a user,
unfortunately,
is to have already been used, drained of everything,
and after having built oneself back up
piece by piece,
to be able to see the corruption a mile away &
to be prepared for it
when it presents itself again---
because it will.