Red flag, White flag

He waved his red flag
and from the opposite side
he waved his white  flag
and somewhere in the middle
they met with tripadtion
and a fear that they would not let the other see
puffed out their chests
splayed their legs
and kept their hands in their
pockets to hid the trembling
spoke in loud gruff voices
words they did not understand
but sounded intelligent
wordly
and knowledgeable
all to disguise the nervousness
and lack of information
they really had
and put forward their case
glancing
always glancing
under beaded eye
whether it was
accepted
or rejected
and in haste they'd clamour
as they sought cover
flags at the ready
to meet just once more