Call it Even

type: writing

othertype: 

description: "You attack, I fight back,
We both bear pain
Neither had to bear,
So let's call it even.

I hurt you so you hurt me,
Insults hurled back and forth.
Both of us ended up looking dumb,
So let's call it even.

Lunge and parry,
Lash and recoil,
Taunt then weep,
Act then react,
I've had enough of this eye for eye,
So let's call it even."

"How can you measure hurt and such?
Bruises? Fractures? Anguish? Blood?
You call it even but the pain's still there,
And I might hurt worse than you.

Even, you say? You started the brawl
And you had the finishing blow!
You calling it even is anything, everything,
Excluding the adjective 'fair'.

Calling it even? You don't know my hurt!
It's a completely selfish call.
You start it, you finish it;
The worst you got was a counterattack."

"Life isn't fair,
I'm looking out for myself,
I'm in the world to better MY life.
Of course I'm cutting my losses here...
Who knows, you might have a knife."

"I never had the intention of harm;
All I did was react to what you had done,
So go ahead, promote that ego of yours!
Go on, look out for number one!"

"It's not like you wouldn't benefit, too,
And I dislike your tone.
You give as well as you take, you know,
But you're not the only one."

"A threat?"

"A warning."

"From you?"

"From me."

"You wish to harm me?"

"I'm trying to protect you."

"And you!"

"Let it be."

"...So I too benefit from this?"

"Damn straight, you're
Protecting your jaw."

"...Then let's call it even and be on our way."

"I knew you'd see how I saw."