Once upon a time, there was a misguided troll.
They spilled hate, frustration, and vitriol.
I typed up a lengthy reply to educate,
but realized instead I was after a checkmate.
There are thousands more, all unoriginal and predictable.
Satisfying this one with a response would be laughable.
The screen of newly written content stared me in the face,
helping me realize I could keep up the pace.
"What to do instead?" I asked.
Keep it to myself or rip off their mask?
Sending a reply causes my followers and account to hurt.
At that moment, I realized I had more power by choosing not to blurt.
The wall of text made itself clear,
a new creation waiting for an ear.
"I can be repurposed," I heard it say.
Nodding in agreement, I replied, "Let's make them pay."
The content and I joined forces that day,
realizing I would make money by writing it another way.
Articles, posts, and video scripts, too,
the content would become new.
Publishing the several new versions over time,
in theory, makes me well more than a dime.
The troll attempted to discredit my statement,
when all he did was increase my payment.
Thank you, troll, for being you.
Without your garbage, my bankroll would be few.
Let this be a lesson to all trolls far and wide.
You will never hurt us, and you'll take your defeat in stride.
---Misty S. Bledsoe, August 19, 2024
