Game Over Poem by Liilia Talts Morrison

How often did I play the game
and chant to others tunes
until I ended up alone
on autumn afternoons

It's hard to take a feeble step
when you don't know the dance
it's hard to find a melody
that's never had a chance

It's hard to find out you have lived
a lie, a sad charade
it's hard to try to find a voice
in neon lit arcades

It's hard to be a puppeteer
when others pulled your strings
it's hard to leave the carnival
and spread your broken wings

It's hard to walk the other way
and leave the bright parade
it's hard to shed ill-fitting robes
unmask the masquerade

How often did I play the game
and chant to others tunes
until I ended up alone
on autumn afternoons?