One Thing I Could Say Maybe

This game of Yours that You love to play,

I wish You’d play it some other way,

Or that You’d tire of playing the same,

And play instead some other game,

For if You kindly allow me to say,

There’s so much misery in Your play,

So, do You think You might agree

To consider playing differently?

Oh, but I’m nobody, so how can I say

That You should change the way You play?

Oh, how foolish of me, how very silly!

I take back my words, if You allow me,

But there’s something I could say maybe,

And that is: “Will You please spare me

From against my will being made to play,

And from in this matter having no say?

If You know that it’s for my good

That in Your game play I should,

Please make it throughout to be

A source of playful joy for me,

For, really, of what use is it to play

A game that drives joy far away

And becomes a burden heavy to bear?

From such a game please me You spare.”