Who holds the power between giver and receiver?

A tug of war that continues if intervention is not provided.

Rope straining between the tired hands of needs.

Bruised and bloody from time.

Both sides neither wanting to be a loser or winner.

Yet not wanting the game to continue.

***

If either side is winning, the other suffers.

More injuries inflicted.

More needs given up to the rope.

One survives while the other drowns.

The rope a rescue device with a trade off.

Forever forcing the other to take turns paddling in the frostbitten water.

***

It is a cruel game that must continue.

Survival and sanity relies on it.

Both giver and receiver would perish without.

For it is what they both need.

The wounds a side effect of the process.

They both love and hate the rope.

***

Should giver or receiver hold the power?

Who gets to tell the other when to swim?

Maybe both hold the power or neither of them.

Silent cries begging the other to take the plunge.

Or stubborn sacrifice refusing the other to jump into the ice water in their place.

I think the true power belongs to the rope.