It begins with an overwhelming flood of affection and attention, as if the universe has conspired to bring you the perfect partner. 

you're showered with grand gestures—lavish gifts, endless compliments, and a ceaseless stream of messages declaring undying love.

they listen to your every word, mirror your interests, and anticipate your needs with uncanny precision. It's as if they have known you forever, as if they are your soulmate, the one person who truly understands and cherishes you.

but beneath this façade of perfect love, lies a calculated ploy. the love bomber's affection is not genuine; it is a tool wielded to gain control. once your defenses are down, once you are hooked on the euphoria of their attention, the darker aspects of their personality begin to emerge.

the praise turns to subtle criticism, the warmth to cold manipulation. they become possessive, demanding, and unpredictable, leaving you in a constant state of confusion and self-doubt.

love bombing is insidious. In time, the realization dawns that the person you thought you loved does not exist. they are a projection, a construct designed to ensnare and dominate. the intense adoration that once felt like a dream come true is revealed as a nightmare of manipulation.

         
the painful lesson that not all that glitters is gold, and that the most dazzling loves can sometimes be the most dangerous.

|prose poetry|
myinkspeaks