A Game I Cannot Win

These days I sense, with growing pain

that life's a game I cannot beat

with every card I seem to gain

I can't achieve the stunning feat

Of putting down a perfect hand;

the cards all seem the same to me,

the more I look and try to land

some on this card-table I see;

For playing cards brings me such pain,

as worries form, begin to lurk;

far in the back end of my brain

pile thoughts from which I cannot shirk.

Then comes the time to set back

down my chosen hand of cut-out

paper men. How I regret

that they have simply lost their clout;

This that drew me in to them,

before this fool's game began.

How clearly do my problems stem

from this ever, oh so clever plan,

I cannot bear a second longer;

the pounding in my ears is stronger.

There is no way to leave, escape,

through doors that used to stand agape,

And lead to places in my mind,

I can't, much longer, seem to find,

within this inferno of squares,

these bits of paper, each declares—

And what? When does the madness cease?

If I relent, if chains release,

Would I just fall down with the rest?

These paper men that I detest?

Who fold their hands, no dignity,

And give in to society?

It seems to be, to my chagrin,

I play a game I cannot win.