The Game

"You didn't heed the rules-

You lost your turn."

But those aren't my rules,

And if this game goes by them,

It was never my game.

So be it.

It might sting, sure.

But I only have one game:

One I'll play, all others I'll pass;

I'd have been no happier in the wrong game.

So be it.

If it's my game, I'm already playing by its rules

So my turn will come around.

And if not, well, it was wrong to begin with:

It was never mine to play.

There's nothing to say beyond that...

It may be a lovely game,

And, to be sure, it's someone's,

And well worth playing.

But all the more reason--

I'll play in mine, you in yours,

For either of us in the other's would be frustrated.

My pawns don't match any other,

Don't understand how to move or when,

Unless they're on their own turf.

And, so, I say, if this is my game,

My turn will come around,

My pawns move as they must;

And when my turn comes,

Whatever name my game takes,

I will be where I should be,

The card-stack turned right,

Everything in place for the conclusion.