when self-gratification becomes the only reason for living

it happened quite simply and without prediction
a simple word and all was finished
there was no understanding
there was no sympathy
there was only the one and the other
and the awkward space that was left in the absence
the first
of stature and breeding
didn't quite understand how the simple request was so unreasonable
this one wanted all that the other offered
but when offered through the other
it was not worth to this one because it came from the wrong direction
the other
of silence and self-loathing
didn't quite understand how the simple response was so unwanted
this one offered all that the first wanted
but when offered to the first
it was not received from this one because it came from the wrong perception

miscommunication and esoterica aside
the first found the other one alone one day
and asked it why it never seemed to smile anymore
not noticing that the smiling had stopped
on the day
but the other replied without repose
"when self-gratification becomes the only reason for living
you become numb."

the other ended life as a stoic
and the first never realized the impact of the exchange