for David Chih-Chian Kuo

We played the game for two,
not having the courage
to play for one
as the rules require.

The rules say:

Set up a city in symbols.
Start with a penny in your pocket
and beg from house door
to factory floor for
alms for the poor.
When your eye is 
only on your mission,
When you lose your faith
you will find your vision.

The rules say:

When the penny becomes real,
when your goal
exceeds your vision
and only the penny
becomes important, when
your eyes are only
on the penny 
you shall be lifted.
Look only at the penny;
your eyes shall be 
lifted for you,
and only then 
(you will not be looking 
through your own eyes)
you will see 
your second city.
Set up and play now,
a game for one.


We played for two.
We were mad with desire
to see a new light
in his eyes.
We did not want
to fail him, so-
unbelieving-
we played
for two.

Where did it come from,
that third city
to which he ran
madly... joyously...
shedding his darkness
and his clothes
as he went?

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