The Tallest of Poppies
I am well used to suffering the jealous behaviour of others as a consequence of their resentment arising from my brilliance. No matter how inclusive and charming I may be there are always some who suffer from the politics of envy. If I understood what sympathy really was I suppose I might have some for these people. It must be horrendous never achieving anything of note and being mired in mediocrity. Thankfully, not all those who are not blessed with the talents that my kind and me have are prone to this behaviour. If that was the case then surely we would face anarchy. Many of them realise their status as an epsilon semi-moron to borrow Aldous Huxley’s description from Brave New World and they are content to fulfil that role. There is much to be said for knowing your place. Few are destined to greatness and one will lead a much more satisfying life if one accepts that at an early stage and you leave the important stuff to those of us who occupy the rarefied stratosphere of superb achievement.
It is a regrettable trait that certain people, envious and jealous of my achievements feel the need to attack me. It is puzzling since so often I have exhibited nothing but pleasantness and compliments towards them and have enabled them to benefit from my largesse, but still they feel the need to attack me and pour scorn on what I do. Admittedly, they are in the minority and that is a helpful indicator and confirmation (if it were needed) that their stance is both unpleasant and erroneous. They might catcall my kind and me, attempting to attribute our success to underhand and devious methods, but they are merely fuming that they did not think of driving forward in such a manner themselves. Whenever I have to deal with one of these idiots who tries to denigrate me then I must always remind them that you cannot add to the stature of a dwarf by cutting off the leg of a giant. That usually sends them away with a flea in their ear.
No, I have no sympathy for these fools, only contempt. Perhaps if they had tried harder at school, worked harder in their occupations and applied their minds with the singularity of vision and purpose that my kind and me are famed for, then and only then, these people might have achieved something.
I resist all attempts to cut me down. I am the tallest of poppies and you must crane your neck, look upwards and admire me for what I am. Of course, it is entirely appropriate that I maintain my stature by removing those who might unseat me. Should anyone else grow close to where I am and have the audacity to cast a shadow over my progress and achievements then I am left with no choice but to wield my scythe and cut them down. I must do it to them before they do it to me. It is the law of the jungle and you do not grow as tall and as fine as me without being able to eradicate the aspirers, the false climbers and the clambering imposters. Threaten my superiority and I will cut you down without hesitation or regret. I am compelled to ensure that the glow of sunny admiration falls on me and that there is no shadow from any other that might impinge my steady advance upwards.
24 thoughts on “The Tallest of Poppies”
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(Because make no mistake, just as the narcissist pick us, we pick them, too. We may not be able to stop being a beacon to them, but we can stop picking them over others.)
Your talk about knowing your place resonates with me. While I would like the benefits of moving up the social ladder (money, power, etc.), I don’t think I could stand the company… the constant fight for power is creepy and while I appreciate and in a bizzare way even enjoy the sprezzatura some people exhibit in the way they perform their machinations, it would drain and annoy me to have to engage in it all the time. Therefore I’m quite happy staying on my own turf.
What I wanted to point out is that – though I’m sure narcissists believe otherwise – accepting one’s sphere of influence and not attempting to extend it is not necesarily ‘settling for less / being too [insert pejorative] to achieve more’, but can also be ‘making oneself comfortable where one feels most at home’. It can be a question of adapting and thriving and not letting other people’s norms and values determine your path or sense of well-being.
Funnily, the man I was involved with often talked about achievement and how important it is to achieve something in life and to realise all your potentials etc. because otherwise you’re going to feel less-than. I can see a lot of projection going on… and I can see where in my own childhood I was conditioned to achieve without being given the foundations for it… funny how that translates to relationships too and why I picked the narcissist… high expectations of me/us and no solid foundation to the relationship.
Hello HGT
Let me just ask one question. That is most interesting that you’ve written about your mum. Is what you mum would write similar to what SN wrote?
My ex who is a malignant narc just like you can only be and is controlled by his also narcissistic mother. However, his mum would never get to such a low to speak like that. She keeps herself to what she believes are good manners. The only time I saw her mask slip (at that time I did not realise what that was, I thought she genuinely was siding me in a fight with the narc) she told his son he was an evil black hearted man. That was an honest statement.
Why do you hate you mum and yet obey her? I don’t believe it’s about money or inheritence, it cant be. It must be that she can still control you. You regard yourself as a child (and so does she) when it comes to her, dont you? I think that is what the answer in both cases.
The very person who’s made you what you are did and will never let you go and be yourself. That is why there is no self of yours.
I looked at the ex when he was being told these words and he did not have any dignity, no control, he was like an unwanted dog being sent back to his bed. He could not say a word, he could not defend himself. He obeyed. I was fascinated. Seeing this made me forget that i was just about to leave. When she left, he carried on with the drama. What was this? What is it with you and your mother?
Ive got you one more question, if you dont mind, please. Did your mum know that you were a malignant narcissist when she made you go into treatment? Also does she know that you believe that she is also a narcissist? If so, is she aware of her npd?
It just keeps popping in my mind what I heard his mum saying to the ex once. He was obsessed with discipline and always wanted to do the parenting to my son. However, he never starts anything new without consulting with his mum. When he told her what he was planning she replied ‘all right, my lovely, just dont hurt that child’. She knew he was going to hurt him. She must know what he is. Yet she lets him near children (despite the risk he poses with his antisocial behaviour), brings in new women when there is ni primary source and keeps the ones trying to get out in their web. Why does your mother not help you in your “business”? Why does his help him?
Thank you.
Perfect analogy for a tree growing in a jungle after another has fallen. Only so much sunlight is allowed. Is this an analogy you wanted while writing this?
This thread did make me crack up!
jealous? I would never been. .. not everyone can be rich or beautiful or talented in everything etc. If that’s who You are, good for You babe, but You should believe in it more… monster inside You don’t let that happen? I’ll help 😉
The remembrance poppy is the poppy that grows over the graves of fallen soldiers who have died at war. How fitting: you gain norishment from those who are withering at your feet.
Isn’t contempt a feeling that u have towards all lesser beings, even those that gaze up at you in adoration. How could you feel any more or any less? They are after all just peasants to do your bidding. You, the tallest poppy, and all you stand for: sedation, a powerful drug, and death. Your beauty does little to ameliorate your deleterious nature.
Indeed that is the case and eloquently put Angel. Plus opiates come from poppies which provide a false sense of elation. The poppy is such an apt emblem although I would not appropriate it from its use to remember the fallen. I recognise their bravery.
What is bravery, if not facing the thing we fear the most? Your fallen lovers did that with you… you would not have it any other way. Power at its finest: How god-like to hold another’s weakness in your hands and brandish it at their most vulnerable moments. However, you would not call them brave. They should have known better. They should have known not to war with an enemy who does not play by the rules. Their bravery is lost on you, as brilliant as you are.
Angel, narcs can’t really value bravery because they have none. Haven’t you read what our host has written about how his entire life is centered on keeping the flood of attention and admiration roaring so loudly that he won’t have to hear the monster in his head telling him that he is inadequate and worthless? What is that but a terrible fear, and one he’s avoiding rather than facing?
It’s just that while most people with that type of extreme fear get help so they can face it down, the narcissist sees no reason not to use everyone around him (or at least everyone so weak and damaged that he knows he can easily control them) to face it down for him.
So narcissists cannot show genuine courage. They cannot bring themselves to face their deepest fears. And, because they cannot show it themselves, they cannot really honor it in others, because that would be implying that there existed strengths they don’t personally own… which would reduce their vital flow of attention and admiration.
They just make the socially appropriate noise about the poppy for camouflage. It’s easiest that way.
What if you had the opportunity to be immortal would you take it ?
You sound like my boss and many of the bosses where I work. Biggest pharmaceutical of the world. If you make it to the top then its only power, money, admiration…. Heaven for a narc… And unfortunately all the bosses are your type 😨.
But I dont feel anger… I dont get it why survivor got so angry… I even enjoy seeing how they thrive when they give their speeches 😂😂😂 …
And knowing now all what I do.. Its soooo easy to get along with all of them 😀 they all like me very much 😂😂… I feel now like the narc
But its true that if you cross them. They will not stop until the opponent is destroyed.
Maybe that happened to survivor…..
Survivor you do know that you just gave him what he needs right? Just checking.
Of course she knew. She likes to tease with the occasional outburst!
You n I have VERY different definitions of teasing lol.
Well our world views are pretty distinct so I guess that has to be right!
I am enjoying learning how ur mind works. Thnx!
You are such an ass hole. You make me want to vomit you and your’e so called kind. You are nothing but an oxygen thieve… bloodsucking animal. People of your’e kind must me killed with pet repellent….
Mother? I thought you hated reading what I wrote.
That is a hilarious comment!😂 Made me laugh. Do you work in the comedy business, ha ha.
I can work in any business you would like me to, survived narc.
Um I think she means u not me 🙂
I realised that, but I am surprised my mother has bothered to read something I have written.
Haha doubt it’s ur Mom. Probably one of the many many people abused by a narcissist.
It’s the kind of thing she would write. Mother, if you are still reading, let me know what you would like for Christmas and I will send you a video of me setting it on fire.