"Stalemate" By Elizabeth Sak

After "Digital Scaring" by Val Vallejo

Disclaimer: This is not love. If you want to stay, take off your clothes. If you choose to leave, I will not chase you.
 
The lace has started to fray.
Cheap fabric.
Cheap liquor.
Cheap romance.
 
A game of black and white
squares, riding in on a stallion
to claim your wicked throne.
 
Tangled in your bed
sheets, grasping at the frame.
Head against your shoulder blade,
my faithful guillotine.
 
Divide my presence into parts
worth saving, disregard
the rest. In the morning you say
I need more sleep.
 
Our kingdom lies
in ruins as I search for
forgiveness in poetry
book margins.
 
The rules are clearly outlined
where your fingertips trace
my skin. But I’m done
playing fair.