It's Just a Game
By Beth Miller
For Eric
"It's just a game" I told you
As we fell behind by nine runs.
We were helpless watching our team
Commit error after error
Too far away for us to do anything
But watch in stunned fascination.
Those words came to mind again
At the end of the game
When we went to shake hands with the other team
After beating them at the last moment.
"If you say 'it's just a game,'
We can just stop talking now.
Let me have my tantrums,"
You informed me the next week.
I graciously conceded.
Passion amuses me.
I ponder over those words.
To me, it's just a game.
Win or lose, life goes on--nothing really changes.
I think you're insane and too intensely passionate;
How do you deal with the "real" issues,
The ones that do matter?
You can't take everything seriously--
Why waste it on a silly game?
Until you roll your eyes at me and say
"It's just a comma!"
And then I understand.