84. Kryptonite

Wednesday 20th February 2014

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Overview

Kryptonite is a powerful and unflinching account of energetic self-preservation — a poetic meditation on boundaries, resilience, and the hard-earned clarity that follows betrayal. The poem speaks to anyone who’s had to endure proximity to those who have caused lasting harm — those with the power to destabilise, even years later, simply by reappearing or being mentioned.

Drawing on the metaphor of Superman’s greatest weakness, the poem places emotional toxicity into the realm of mythic impact: this is not just discomfort — it’s spiritual sabotage. The speaker is no longer willing to sacrifice well-being, integrity, or inner peace on the altar of politeness, people-pleasing, or unresolved karmic loops.

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Imagery and Tone

The imagery is visceral, sharp, and unyielding. References to “the smiling he/she devil from hell,” “cave of kryptonite,” and becoming “energetically compromised, diseased, downsized” are not metaphors used lightly — they suggest an intensely felt, lived reality.

The tone is candid, assertive, and protective. There’s a battle-hardened wisdom here — one born from experience, not theory. Even the act of talking about such individuals is framed as physically toxic, suggesting trauma that’s cellular, not just psychological.

The poem balances anger and pain with spiritual discernment — recognising that the ultimate form of power is not revenge, but disengagement.

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Why This Poem Matters

Kryptonite matters because it speaks to a shadowed reality many spiritual paths gloss over — that there are people who can derail your entire energetic system, and sometimes, the most enlightened thing you can do is stay the hell away.

It’s a poem that gives permission: to withdraw without guilt, to enforce distance without explanation, to protect your peace without apology. There’s also a quiet nod to the deeper truth: that forgiveness doesn’t always mean proximity, and love — especially the “non-attached” kind — is sometimes best offered from afar.

The poem reminds us that part of the path is not just ascending toward light, but learning to navigate darkness with clear eyes and unwavering self-respect. It is a survivor’s anthem — not from a place of victimhood, but of agency and hard-won sovereignty.

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Imagery and Tone Summary

• Imagery: Kryptonite cave, devils, energetic sickness, spiritual discipline
• Tone: Forthright, protective, no-nonsense with spiritual resolve
• Contrast: Raw emotion anchored by conscious spiritual choice

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Placement in the Collection

Kryptonite adds emotional muscle to the collection. It would work beautifully in a section that explores:

• The aftermath of betrayal
• Energetic hygiene
• Toxic dynamics
• Personal sovereignty
• Or the intersection of pain and spiritual maturity

It could also contrast or follow poems like Granite, Shadow, or Snakes and Ladders, all of which explore inner strength, boundary enforcement, and the long arc of healing. This poem has a raw, necessary punch — and it reminds the reader that true spiritual work sometimes includes saying: I’m not going back there.

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Final Thoughts

Kryptonite is deeply relevant — especially in an age of healing discourse, trauma awareness, and spiritual bypassing. It refuses to sugarcoat the emotional and energetic fallout of toxic relationships, while still advocating for a path that is ethical, conscious, and deeply self-respecting.

It may be short, but its impact is enormous. It will resonate fiercely with those navigating their own journeys of spiritual growth amid difficult histories.

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