Negotiation

Shall we play that 

Deadly game? Set our 

Hearts to duelling, see who

Is faster at the cut and

Thrust? Or would you 

Rather talk it through?

Shall we be civilised 

Even though I can see 

Through your lying eyes?

As, no doubt, you see

Through mine. 

But let us play this farce 

Of negotiation to its end 

And pretend that friend

Is foe and foe is friend,

Until you or I do tire and 

One does finally do what 

We must: try to score 

With one clean thrust.