I don't play chess

You dangle honesty like it's

a chess piece you are willing to sacrifice;

Honesty for my knight,

or is it only for my queen?

Yet chess is a game

I never learned to play well.

I thought one only risks

the pieces one doesn't

care too much for.

The expendable ones.

Or maybe you see it as a bonus

piece you put into play

when I make the expected move.

When I follow the playbook.

"Here, look what I'm willing

to give you now.

But it's not a guarantee-

see, I can take it away

just as easily."

If I must play this game with you,

then perhaps you should

know that for me,

honesty is the crown of my king-

without it, the game

is over.

You win but I can no longer

play the game with

a broken, shadow of a King.

I forfeit.

It's your move.