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Narcissism

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Author’s Notes: “Narcissism” is the title of my latest Tanka, which I just recently completed. Without belaboring the point of a theme such as this, I would imagine most people in their lifetime have been exposed to character types who personify noticeable full-blown narcissistic characteristics, attitudes, and tendencies. People who are true narcissists are usually not hard to spot, because of some of their obvious common traits: extreme selfishness, grandiose views, flights of hyperbole, oversensitivity, pompous behavior, rude remarks, craving for admiration, and so on. I wrote this Tanka as a companion write to the earlier one I did on “Demagoguery,” which I had posted on PoetrySoup on August 29, 2017. Enjoy the words!! (Gary Bateman – September 16, 2017) (Tanka)

Categories: allegory, desire, hyperbole, image, jealousy, parody, and psychological.

Narcissism It’s all about Me! This shall always be my wish— A fool’s vanity . . . Thinking of only me . . . me! I’m so wondrously perfect! Gary Bateman, Copyright © All Rights Reserved, September 16, 2017 (Tanka)

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Duke Beaufort

Date: 10/1/2018 1:02:00 AM

A very interesting topic these days. It’s tough to spend time with these types. Unfortunately, we are stuck with a big one for the next two years. It’s all rather strange. He understands the media, how to lie without reservation, and that doing so enough will convert the weak minded.

Gary Bateman
Date: 10/1/2018 4:16:00 PM

Hello Duke, I am in full agreement with you. The weak-minded will always follow a demagogue like Mr. Trump, to whom I always refer to in my writings as: "The Pied Piper from New York City." Best Wishes, Gary

Jerry T Curtis

Date: 11/4/2017 6:41:00 PM

Gary I wish you would have told me you were going to write about me, but then I can't possible image you desiring to write about any one else.....LOL

Gary Bateman
Date: 11/4/2017 6:46:00 PM

Hey Jerry!! I wondered when you were going notice that I was writing about you!! You will always be NUMBER ONE in my book!! LOL Remember . . . Only Me!! Cheers, Gary

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 10/7/2017 7:35:00 PM

I know one of these people, sadly, someone I have to deal with in my husband's family! Yep, you got it so right, Gary!!

Gary Bateman
Date: 10/8/2017 5:55:00 PM

Thanks Andrea for your read, and for your comments here. I think most people, at one time or another in their lives, have had deal with people who are this way. Hopefully the family situation with the person you mention will improve over time. But true narcissistic people rarely ever change. I hope the best for you!! Cheers, Gary

Donna Loughman

Date: 9/21/2017 8:06:00 AM

Gary, this is such a true reflection of today's world...well done in capturing this in such a unique way!

Gary Bateman
Date: 9/21/2017 4:25:00 PM

Hi Donna, I'm glad you liked this one. Narcissism is alive and well in today's world for sure. I enjoyed your first-posted poem and look forward to other future-posted poems from you!! Cheers and Best, Gary

Silent One

Date: 9/20/2017 10:25:00 AM

You described this very well Gary.. Sadly, there are one too many of these characters in life.. even on here.. To describe this subject in a tanka, is just genius my friend..

Gary Bateman
Date: 9/20/2017 1:42:00 PM

Thanks Silent One for you read and very observant comment here!! Yes, for sure, there are enough of these individuals in life that all of us, at one time or another, have had to deal with which is always unfortunate. But such is the lot of human society. Best Always, Gary

James Marshall Goff

Date: 9/18/2017 8:58:00 PM

Greetings, Gary....well written! everywhere you look...people are self-absorbed with their phones....never in the moment....which allows compassion & engagement to keep the harsh memes at bay....sadly...it seems to be multiplying....rfid chips are next...resist!

Gary Bateman
Date: 9/19/2017 12:03:00 PM

Hello Jimbo, Great to hear from you!! And it looks like you honed right-in on the real essence of self-absorption as a by-product of the modern age. Some people who are truly narcissistic make all of this worse. Glad you liked this particular theme. Best Wishes, Gary

Becca Teagan

Date: 9/18/2017 8:04:00 PM

Hi Gary! Thanks for visiting my poem today. It was good to hear from you. I love this poem about narcissism. I, too, wrote a poem about this topic, called Driven), but I changed it to be about ego. I really love your poem here, you've encapsulated the feeling in so few words. Well done.

Gary Bateman
Date: 9/19/2017 11:56:00 AM

Thanks Becca!! Likewise, it's great to hear from you too!! I appreciate your read here of "Narcissism," and I'm glad you liked it. (I will take a read of "Driven" so I can get your perspective of "ego.") I've have many more poems in the pipeline for the future. I must get by your site more often. Cheers and Best, Gary

Liam Mcdaid

Date: 9/17/2017 7:19:00 PM

your pen drew this character with accuracy gary excellent pen pal

Gary Bateman
Date: 9/18/2017 3:56:00 PM

Thanks Liam Mate!! Accurate it is for sure. I promise I won't spend too much time looking at myself in the mirror!! HA!! HA!! LOL!! Cheers and Best, Gary

Donna Loughman

Date: 9/17/2017 4:49:00 PM

Excellent Gary..it paints certain people perfectly! Fyi..I posted my first poem on poetry soup. I hope you like it and look forward to your insight!

Gary Bateman
Date: 9/18/2017 3:53:00 PM

Hello Donna, Thanks for your note here on "Narcissism." Unfortunately, there are enough people like this in society to make things difficult, especially when most of us are just trying enjoy life and focus on things that are important, like family and friends. I will definitely take a read of your first poem on Poetry Soup. I look forward, of course, to reading more of your poetry in the future. Best Always, Gary

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 9/17/2017 6:13:00 AM

- The big question is: How clear is man over his own ego? - This procedure I would NEVER recommend to anyone - "I am unique and perfect" - In Norway we have "mountain rules" ... one says: "there is no shame in turning around" - Well done, Gary !!! - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Anne-Lise Andresen
Date: 9/17/2017 3:06:00 PM

- The mountain rules are advised for mountain traffic, issued by the Norwegian Red Cross and the Norwegian Tourist Association :) - Good mountain understanding is not just about what you are going to and will not, but about having a conscious relationship with the choices you make before, during and after :)

Gary Bateman
Date: 9/17/2017 2:36:00 PM

Hello Anne-Lise, Thanks for your read and comments here. Mountain Rules in Norway, eh?? Very Interesting!! Most people that get pulled into the big "ME" vacuum tend to be beyond any help, and some of them end up with their lives in total chaos in later life. When in doubt, one should follow the "Norwegian Mountain Rules." Thanks again, Anne-Lise!! Best Always, Gary

Sunlite Wanter

Date: 9/16/2017 6:50:00 PM

This person, Gary, wrote a poem saying it's all about him! Well, he's wrong! It's all about me! Laughing - remember the "me" generation? Sorry, now - I've got to go find myself.

Gary Bateman
Date: 9/17/2017 2:26:00 PM

Hello Sunlite, Thanks for your note here LOL!! Although we know now that it's all about you and not me, I still had to pull myself away from gazing at my so lovely face in the mirror!! HA!! HA!! Good Luck finding yourself!! I don't know if ever have, LOL!! Best Wishes, Gary (P.S. Back to the mirror now!!)

Arthur Vaso

Date: 9/16/2017 3:54:00 PM

Seriously, great write and you summed it up perfectly !! :)

Gary Bateman
Date: 9/16/2017 4:01:00 PM

Thanks Art!! Glad you enjoyed this one. I plan to write some more of these shorter writes. (BTW, you really should read my recently posted, two-part political verse on "The Pied Piper from New York City.") The subject of that poem-treatise personifies narcissism to the maximum!! Best Wishes, Gary

Arthur Vaso

Date: 9/16/2017 3:53:00 PM

Thankfully I am not a narcissist, ops brb, someone moved my mirror!! LOL

Gary Bateman
Date: 9/16/2017 3:57:00 PM

Hey Art!! What ya' mean?? I just tore myself away from gazing at my beautiful image reflected in the Big Mirror on my writing desk, just to answer your comment!! HA!! HA!! LOL!! Cheers, Gary

Jan Allison

Date: 9/16/2017 3:35:00 PM

Excellent observation Gary I know of several people like this and they are not particularly nice folk:-( hugs jan xx

Gary Bateman
Date: 9/16/2017 3:40:00 PM

Hello Jan, Thanks for your note here. I've unfortunately known my share of people who are like this too. Not nice, and to be avoided, if at all possible. Best Always, Gary

Tim Smith

Date: 9/16/2017 3:33:00 PM

I know a few Gary...just look to social media and you will see your fair share.

Gary Bateman
Date: 9/16/2017 3:48:00 PM

Hello Tim, Thanks for your words here. I certainly agree with what you say here. All societies have their fair share of these, shall we say, "challenging personalities." And, don't forget the current occupant of the White House!! A true narcissist he is. Cheers and Best, Gary