As if it were a game
you sat, defiant in your silence
postured as a king upon his throne.

I played too having already
given in to your demand to see me
cast in a certain light of crazy

And begged for only the peace
of understanding, having forfeited
any move I had to make
in favor of life's truth.

Nothwithstanding your sweeping victory
and clear success at removing
any joy I had managed to find
on this playing field,

You had no time to help me
understand the rules and the ways
of the wolrd. I fell and I fell
and truth be told 

I am falling still. 

Your eyes awake again,
heart beating steady to the call of life;
yet, still, you speak your declaration
that I have been vanquished.

Drawing others in and
holding them close, like cards
to your chest; nevertheless
you call to me with challenge

Or cold-hearted calculations
meant to shatter, subjugate,
and carry on pretending
as if it were a game.