Playing for the Win

Image: Wikipedia, Snakes and Ladders

I’ve never been good at playing games—

I can’t bluff to save my life

all that I feel is written across my face,

so cards are out.

And chess would not be my forte;

I barely have the ability to see one move ahead

much less twelve to the win.

Monopoly, like poker, and chess,

requires certain skills,

none of which I possess.

No, my life is more like Snakes and Ladders

a mix of skill and chance, good and bad

of climbing and slipping back again

How many times have I ended up where I’ve begun

—falling back to square one?

I can only hope when the game is complete

that the virtues will outweigh the sins

and I will find the salvation that awaits

those who persist.

© Ginny Brannan 2017

To learn more about this fascinating game, a pretty good reflection on life itself, check it out at Wikipedia.