On Manipulative Relationships

When you’re in a relationship with a manipulative or abusive partner,

Your movements are dictated by an outside source, pulling you and dangling you above a dingy stage. Eventually your body doesn’t feel like yours anymore and everything turns hollow. Then you realise the problem and beautifully, angrily and passionately, snip away the puppet strings and your limbs are your own again.

Then why don’t you feel the same as before? Where are the goods parts that use to be there? These new, tangly accessories are mementos of freedom but with a heinous side effect. The strings are cut, yes, but they are still strings. At least when they were attached to the handle you knew you were a puppet, but now you don’t know what to call yourself at all. Is something with broken parts a broken thing? Am I a broken thing?