Playing Life

I grabbed the game of life from the shelf
Tiny pink cars toppling from the box

And handed it to my younger brother

Mom stuffed the game into our suitcase

Dad zipped it and carried it out

We piled in the taxi, squeezing with suitcases

On our laps, awaiting the ten hour flight
to visit the onion domes of Budapest

We were  

One, a single unit

An unbreakable team

Travelling the board of life together

I grabbed the game of life off the shelf
Edges tattered from years of use

Handed it to my younger brother

Mom stuffed the game into our suitcase

But this time, she carried it herself

Meanwhile, dad reached for the diaper bag

Loaded his four new kids into an SUV

On his way to Florida while my mom, brothers and I

Stayed behind

Now we are two

Opposing teams in the game of life

If only we could spin the wheel

And start over
Reshuffle our deck and get a better hand
Maybe then I'd finally win