Empath Struggles

I used to be so offended 
seeing people pretend 
to be full of positive energy 
knowing that for years
I was often accused 
of being disingenuous
being called a phony
while they were accepted 
some things never change 
they say actions speak 
louder than words
but for someone like me 
energy speaks the loudest
I've always known 
even before I met them 
or heard them speak 
I knew right away
just from looking at a photo 
believe it or not 
and I still gave them the 
benefit of the doubt
I know people are capable of 
more than what they show 
but when they show you 
who they truly are 
it may take more than 
your eyes to really see them
calling them out is useless 
why sink to their level 
just to prove a point
so I'll just keep being myself
it's different when it's real

© 2020