you have dreams, or you had them once
i saw the hope in your eyes, until it faded
that fateful day your light blew out
your face changed a little, and you were gone

how clever we can be while playing this game
but there is no prize for simply being sharp
an award is given only to he who still stands
a fight to the death in which only one will survive

take nine steps, facing the other way
on the tenth and final footing you whip around
only to find that i'm not there, i have vanished
you see, though you would kill me, i must spare you

yes, only one of us remains in plain view
and that is the end game, the final draw
for you shall live your life to its fullest potential
yet perhaps frequently looking over your shoulder