‘Victimhood & Narcissism’: Poems by Susan Jarvis Bryant

These are awesome, Susan. “The joy of grief has served me well” deftly epitomizes so much of what we see today. You’ve truly captured the moment. And “The Key to Happiness” is the perfect finale. Very well done, as usual.

Susan, I stand in awe of your skill. You never disappoint, but here you have four perfect bull’s eyes! And they dissect the two most malignant distempers of our day: victimhood worn as a badge of honor, and sociopathic narcissism.

Both of these diseases are now celebrated and encouraged and defended as sure-fire ways to get along in modern times. They are getting worse and worse, and widespread. But your poems skewer them precisely and articulately.

Also, a tip of the hat to Evan Mantyk for that amazingly apt Le Brun illustration. I don’t know how he does it!

I just love these poems, Susan. They are filled with keen observations and unpleasant truths. “The Joy of Grief” is especially spot-on in its portrait of those who like to be professional martyrs, maybe even with a dose of Munchausen’s syndrome thrown in. I have known many people who would not know what to do with themselves if they couldn’t be victims who feel sorry for themselves. I especially like the paranthetical in your “I am an ass (protected class)…” because it is so ridiculous and yet absolutely accurate!

Your narcissism poems are equally delightful and present a perfect poetic platter of piquant pleasure. I think my favorite line is the delightfully chewy “It’s chic to shriek and curse and spit.” It also sounds absurd and yet happens to now be the way of the world.

“The Key to Happiness”, in contrast, actually offers sound advice without any irony. Attitude really does matter and, as Abe Lincoln once said, “a man is usually about as happy as he has made up his mind to be.” The difference between you and Lincoln? You offer wisdom with poetic aplomb!

Dear Lord, Forgive my peerlessness – I love it! That line alone would have done it for me, but then I read The Key to Happiness, and that wrapped it in tin foil and tied it in a big red bow ! Thanks once more, my dear talented friend.

You nailed the current Zeitgeist with this group of poems Susan.
To remain in a reverent attitude of gratitude to our Creator is the only remedy which I can see, and your poetry sure helps me in my pursuit, thank you.

Susan, these trip off the tongue superbly. I love all of them but particularly, “The Key to Happiness.” Alan Coren, made me chuckle. His son, Giles, writing in the Times, makes me guffaw, and the illustrations from Evan are brilliant. I don’t know how you do it, but don’t stop!

These poems are magnificent, Susan, and with them I feel you’ve cut to the very heart of the dire social situation we find ourselves in. None of the vicious political nonsense which plagues Western society in the current year could have ever gained traction without the Victim-Narcissist, that sociopath who wields weakness as a weapon against the world. The solutions you offer are witty, concise and firmly grounded in common sense. Of course they will be ignored by the worst cases but they are a timely reminder for the rest of us who might be tempted at times to indulge in similar games.

Susan, let me add to your praises with a couple of tiny observations. “The Joy of Grief” has wonderful soundplay, in addition to the delightfully oxymoronic title, but I find “Misfortune pays” to be the most creative summary of the whole in two iambic feet. Misfortune pays, not only in meaning for life, as the epigraph indicates, but in social and financial credit gained as a member of a “protected class,” as you say in another pair of fine feet. And it pays dividends of continuing misfortune as long as the victim cannot escape, which is usually a long time. Excellent analysis.

Also a great idea to make “Advice” a pair of poems. The first time I heard the term “pity party” was way back “Then” when I was in army basic training. The sergeant excoriated some young women for self-pity, and all of certainly had it to one degree or another. Her main point, however, was that there is no party fun to be had in feeling sorry for yourself. It is a lonely exercise that can only drag others down. I can imagine a group engaging in all of what you describe in “Now,” but there is still no enjoyment to be had even from sympathizers and fellow actors or actresses. Good analysis again!

These are great, as usual!

“The Joy of Grief:” I like the form with the repetend, “The joy of grief has served me well.” Also the internal rhyme in each first line. It’s sad but true that “misfortune pays;” the more victim cards a person can accumulate, the more revered he is by modern culture… unless, of course, he’s one of modern culture’s victims.

“A Narcissist’s Prayer:” The triolet form is great for this, especially the repetition of the narcissist’s false prayer for forgiveness for being perfect.

“Advice:” This sums up many of our culture’s changes well.

“The Key to Happiness:” How true! It reminds me of the Stoic saying that it is not what happens to us that causes emotional pain, but only our judgment about what happens. The Stoic philosophers also added that it’s well within our power to wipe out such judgments.

These might have seemed like hissy-fits were it not for the depth of thought that, from a broader perspective, went into them. You rule, and many or most of us are glad to follow.