after

behind the lines
and the laughter

she knew
what he was after

even before 
he said it

and she traced
a path
through the maze
of him

letting him win
while trying to
break free

like a pawn
eluding
the ever present
queen

what can't be seen
can be forgotten

in the close-mouthed
tide of the day

(at bay)

poem inspired by:   http://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/2015-november-pad-chapbook-challenge-day-12 (keeping up is hard to do... sometimes)