"Games People Play" by John C. Mannone

Games People Play

John C. Mannone

It’s The Game of Life, but the Trouble is

that we often take Risk without having a Clue.

Silence sometimes dominates: Don’t Break

the Ice or Say Anything, that would be Taboo.

And when we finally speak, there’s no Diplomacy,

what we say to each other is often a Scrabble bunch

of words or simply Balderdash—it’s Apples to Apples

in this Game of Thrones. Why does one or the other

often have Monopoly over the conversation

while the other throws Stick & Stones?

It would be better if we threw Candyland candy canes

or even Chutes and Ladders, they wouldn’t hurt as much.

Sorry, this is a Trivial Pursuit, you can remain

the Mastermind, the Dominant Species. It’s Pay Day

I’m going to Pick Up Sticks and as quick as Jumping Jacks,

Go home. Guess Who is not going to stay

in the Dungeon anymore, no more Twilight Struggles

or night time nightmares. I got a Ticket to Ride.

It’s a game, like Chess, and I just lost my queen.

Poet’s Notes: This is about failed relationships in terms of board games (at least 25 of the 76 most popular ones), as well as a few others. The games are italicized and capitalized. See http://www.listchallenges.com/92-best-board-games-of-all-time.