Sanaa requests we belly up to the game table ~ time for Monopoly + Poetics in the Pub
they start with laughter / with assurances
"just a game / don't take it seriously"
the board unfolds / a patchwork of power
avenues of ambition / neighborhoods of greed
the banker [self-appointed] smirks
palming extra bills with sleight-of-hand
no one dares call him out
"just the way the world works" he says
alliances form / backs stiffen / smiles thin
one by one / the weak fall first
they trade kindness for contracts
friendship for fine print
forget they are playing a game
forget there is a world / beyond the board
later / silence / pieces knocked over
deeds tossed / into board's center
finally / a breath / a sigh
and one by one / "I'm done"
a shared look that says
we let this game own us / again !
bills tossed / like autumn leaves
board folded / in quiet understanding
the game is over / but they ?..
they remain
A piercingly poignant response to the prompt, Helen! I especially resonate with; "they trade kindness for contracts friendship for fine print/forget they are playing a game/forget there is a world / beyond the board."
ReplyDeleteYou nailed it! ❤️❤️
I wonder how many family holidays has been destroyed by living to strong inside the game of monopoly----
ReplyDeleteOh, wow that is the truth of monopoly, the chaos it wreaks!!
ReplyDeleteWhat did you remind me of, Helen!
ReplyDeleteHow many hours have I spent playing this game as a child,
your poem is wonderful!!
I suspect too many games end this way!
ReplyDeleteMy son used to break into tears when his sister took all his money! We always loved monopoly.
ReplyDelete"bills tossed / like autumn leaves
ReplyDeleteboard folded / in quiet understanding"
I think I'll sit this one out!
"They" always have the last word, though it's game over for the rest of the world. I love how you use the exptended metaphor of Monopoly to say so much about how those who have the wealth and the power operate. A poetic sleight of hand.
ReplyDelete