Game of Life

At school we carry on the game
Opponents change, the aim’s the same.
We hopscotch through our early years
Avoid the lines, avoid the tears
Roll the dice of friends and teams
But ‘safe’ isn’t always what it seems.

We’ve learned to live, to love, and yet…
Our own game plan is often met
By players who were also taught
To challenge us and to take our pot.
The red and black of life goes round
Our poker face has laughed and frowned.

But as the final furlong looms
The game we played when in our wombs
Wants to wave the chequered flag
And we realise it’s a game of tag
The race is run, when the contestant dies
So passing the baton on, is wise

Turn to look at your gathered team
And share your skills, and prize, and dream
Judge your game by the group you build
A lifetime shared is a life fulfilled
It’s not what you get, but what you give
That wins this game, this life we live.

JPH 2010