CONFLICT RESOLUTION

the delicate equilibrium of power

between passion and reason

is a black steel beam balanced

on a sharp crystalline point of perspective

that we tiptoe around

while navigating through the minefield of miscommunication

sown underneath the surface of our smiling platitudes

seated at a glittering rectangular table

pairs of impassive black eyes regard each other

a bone-dry canyon stretches between us and them

the scent of frustration rises like a ghost

from the periphery of our vision

as jokes about successful violence breeding violence

reverberate in the backs of our skulls

our attempt to evolve a mutual exchange a square deal

feels like an overweight garbage truck grunting up a hill

grinding along grinding along

wearing down the idealistic perception of our equality

this disagreement is a helix

a twisting spiral staircase snake positioned in midair

with slippery black iron steps

alternating one by one between conflict and cooperation

single file we crawl upward step by step

evading the contractions of the python of disagreement

circling around us

until at the top of the stairs

at the pinnacle of decision nirvana

we conclude this negotiation by agreeing to disagree

as the blue and white sphere revolves underneath us