In the Game of Life

the clock says it's 11.03am
half the day has come and gone
sitting here, i wonder at the speed
life rushes by
us little creatures caught up in its Game

secrets revealed and events unfold
exchanges between two people locked up
in the many spaces of my mind

the heart though,
has little vacancies left
reserved rooms only for a few special ones

an alliance forged, a confidante found
a gentle touch, a quiet smile...
a look that speaks more than the word 'love' can encapsulate
in and out they come
tread carelessly about, some do

a wave of a hand, a kiss goodbye
a harsh farewell, a turn of the head...
or none...
pieces returned, rejected but really,
what's given can never be taken back

a welcomed presence, a retreating figure,
a comforting companion, a withdrawing shadow
come and go, here and there,
was, is and may be
a blur of images spinning ruthlessly round me
fleeting captions of memories everywhere

a brief regret, some blinding pain
comes and goes, here and there,
was, is and always will be

up and down i go,
in and out i turn,
ride the waves i will
until the waves rise no more and i reach a plateau
where time finally stops

and i am released
from captivity into freedom
that is here and now,
if i so can reach it
here and now.