Psychological Manipulation
Psychological manipulation
Peddling influence to change perceptions
Just understand the motivations
Deception, abuse, and underhanded motions
It’s all about you, or so you think
At least you’ll end up believing that notion
Superficial praise and recognition
Your best interests, yes, the true ambition
Play along and fill your role
As quickly good can turn to deception
Rationalization, minimization
The bag of tricks to bend emotions
Evasion, diversions, all irrelevant
Charm and loyalty might lead to seduction
Several tactics in play at once
Playing the innocent while brewing a potion
Blurring your sense of identity
Watch the spin from anger to confusion
You’re a puppet with so many strings
Vulnerabilities shifted for exploitation
Intimidate to accentuate
Soon the pressure will reveal submission
Such fun together you and me
Off balance guarantees no confrontation
I suffer from the disease to please
Me that is, it’s my devotion
When one individual uses another person or group to advance their own interests, the emergence of exploitative methods seems to have no end. Through lying, denial, rationalization, omission, seduction, coercion, guilt, intimidation, blaming, projecting, shaming, or extreme positive reinforcement, gift giving, or outright bribery the person doing the manipulating is always in control and has a master plan to achieve a specific outcome.
- When We Lost Control - October 13, 2025
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- Sorrow - October 9, 2025
Wow! Great poem and message, Ralph. Well done.
What a riveting poem, full of expression and feelings. Yes there are takers in this world, it won’t end. Those who want control over others will be manipulative and uncaring, they have only one thing on their agenda, to stack and pile up as much STUFF, wealth as they possibly can. Their master plan is to have everyone subordinate to them and do their will. We find many of these types in law enforcement, lawyers, politicians and corporate heads. There is very little trust in leaders these days, we the public are puppets, they pull the strings and hold our purse at ransom.
A very powerful poem Ralph, and sadly so true today as to how people choose to live. And the disease spreads into all aspects of life, from our leaders to the guy next door. Life to many is a game of power, or greed and oppression. Sad. Very well rendered in stark light of truth. great work my friend.
It’s actually fascinating just how many different ways people can manipulate
Well expressed, Ralph. Yes, sadly, manipulators pull the strings and the rest of us a just marionettes in their puppet show.
That was amazing. Thank you.
I thought your first statement was perfect description of manipulation. Powerful indeed.
Thanks Lori – welcome to TCE !
Very cool indeed. This seemed really accurate to me.