Election

is one of those games that people
delight in playing. They squeal
when it’s pulled off the shelf.

A game about which people say,
“It’s just fun. It doesn’t matter 
who wins.” They smile, 

such happy cutthroats,
playing pickpockets at a medieval 
festival. It’s just fun.

and how the clueless smiles add
to the joy. No one could possibly
mistake this for a true battle.

Then again, I don’t squeal
or smile much on my good days
so it always feels like it’s our blood

in the offing for some of us — 
those seated at the game board
with no pockets to pick, no blades to swing.