We’re the same
you and me
we share scraped knuckles
and grass stains
smeared with blood
dried in the sun
we play hard
you and me
we stuff our cards
like bad magicians
up one sleeve
we fool no one
and no one claps
as
each
card
falls
we need new tricks
you and me
and maybe one day
we will laugh
when we’re both finally sent to jail
We Don’t Pass Go
and there’s no money
but maybe then
we’ll both agree
to end bad games.
Ingrid is today’s host for dVerse Poetics. Ingrid says: Now try your hand at writing your way out of a place of pain… In this poem I was thinking about the games couples play and what it takes to finally surrender and learn to love. Hopefully not real jail time, but maybe a time-out to acknowledge pain and begin to heal!
Tricia Sankey 
Insightful work, TS. well done!
Thanks, Ron! This took me a hot minute to write, but I think I’m happy with it now! 😊
This was really good. For some reason I think it would be good lyrics to a slow building ballad with a belting chorus.
Thanks! I kind of thought it was a little musical myself. I need someone to turn it into a country song or something.
Loved that you used couples and the games they play ~~~ more than capable of causing pain …. thank you for visiting my blog, leaving a comment.
Thanks, Helen! I love both our pieces involving relationships!
I like your Monopoly metaphor. It made me smile. Something needs to stop us so we learn to listen to each other! Great poem.
Yes, I think every marriage can probably relate at one time or another to silly games! Thanks!
Yes!
Tricia, I like the format you use here. Am very familiar with those games, as both a participant and as an observer of other couples. It seems to take an awful lot of energy with very little positive return. I hope they find a way to devote their energy to simply loving each other.
Agreed, it’s a game of heartbreak in the end, thanks, Lisa! ❣
You’re welcome.
This is great! I love the imagery!
Thank you!! 💓
I love how you’ve woven the allusion to games through each stanza, especially the Monopoly at the end! This resonates ❤️
Thanks, Ingrid! it was fun exploring these “emotions recollected in tranquility” as Wordsworth said, thanks for hosting!
It’s always the best perspective from which to examine them! 😅
The idea of playing games has become so rooted in the way we think, everything has to be ‘fun’, laughter, sunshine, telling lies and pretending if the truth isn’t ‘happy’ enough. I like how this progresses from self-knowledge to an admission that there’s not necessarily going to be a happy ending.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment, Jane, I think there is room for this couple to start making some decisions at the end and there is some ambiguity on what that will be. 💕
I hope Monopoly doesn’t claim another couple!
😅 Praying for them! 🙏
This is gorgeously rendered, Tricia 😀 I love the reference to Monopoly and agree.. most of us don’t fool anyone .. because we are just not wired to. Sometimes it’s better not to play the game that everyone else is. Cheers! 💝💝
Yes, I enjoyed writing the game metaphors in this piece, thanks, Sanaa! ❣
It’s hard to get past those games sometimes. (K)
Yes, a true pain at times! Thanks for reading! 💓
Tricia,
This reminded me so much of Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance.” You capture the same dynamic and with the same passion.
pax,
dora
That’s a cool comparison, appreciate your comment, Dora! 💓
You’re so welcome!
Excellent metaphor. Let the gaming come to an end. Play with the hands dealt out by the real world.
Yes! Thanks for your comment, Sean! 💓
The metaphor worked beautifully. Very lyrical verse.
Thanks so much, Punam! ❣
You are welcome, Tricia. 😊
The metaphor of bad games is so very strong… and i wonder if there ever are winners.
Thanks! I think true communication is the only win-win!
Hello dear Tricia. I loved your work today. Each poem, a gem.
Thanks so much, John! ❣️
You are welcome dear Tricia.
💗💗💗