Merciful Sadism

 Me and this man, and our dogs were talking once

He said “I hope you don’t take this the wrong way, but you have sad eyes.”

Like the warning somehow always cushions the hurt

And then added “But I also see a lot of life.”

As if sadness isn’t a part of it. 

As if sadness doesn’t create it and birth it and give it meaning.

Because sandwiching open cut insults with the salt of compliments

Makes them sting just a little more

It’s merciful sadism.