The Game of Life

We're thrust into the Game of Life

Crying, "Here I am! Make way!"

And then we have to play along,

Whether or not we want to play.

 

Confused and bewildered at first, we strive

To gather together strategic tools

To help us maneuver through twists and turns,

And as we play we learn the rules.

 

The game's not always easy, for our

Priorities often need rearranging.

What makes life even trickier yet

Is that the blasted rules keep changing!

 

Once in a while we win a round;

And then once in a while we lose.

We learn to celebrate our gains,

To ride out storms, to pay our dues.

 

We also learn that fellow players

Are NOT always on our side.

Thus, it's necessary for us

To be prepared for a bumpy ride.

 

Along the way, we will encounter

Liars who try to sabotage

Our efforts to thrive. We also have to

Learn what's true and what's a mirage.

 

Ah! Those moments of happiness--

We want to grasp them to make them last.

But sad times make their unwelcome entrance

And must be dealt with until they've passed.

 

Close calls often occur, and at times

We don't even know that they are there.

Don't be neurotic and paranoid,

But here's some advice: always beware.

 

Play with gusto, and always maintain

The enthusiasm of a beginner,

For in this game, each of us

Can ultimately be a winner.

 

Once we make our final move,

Forget grasping, fortune, and fame.

The rules will have changed again;

We'll be playing a different game.

 

-by Bob B (3-22-20)