I wonder how small the selection of choice is? is it the weakest link in the chain? why we really bet on miracles? excellent topic and so deftly manuevered in your poem!

Naked and helpless we enter, naked and helpless we leave; sobering really, given the intensity of the battle and the short season we're given to make something worthwhile of ourselves. IMO every individual requires a deep understanding of love and respect and, the Biblical maxim of treating others the way they want to be treated if life is going to be (in any way) satisfying.

And, yes, the battlefield experience is sadly exacerbated by tactless unforgiving people navigating ineptly through their own fears and prejudices- and somehow, in the process, casting their dysfunction into anothers field. The world is plethoric with those who have no understanding of mutual respect or altruism; those who have no fragrance of humility in their lives. I know the battle well, Odin, as do you. chiseled in granite your thoughts. As always your gift sparkles. peace to you ... richard

Game of chess, cat and mouse, hopscotch, tag, spin the bottle, russian roulet we all play at life, but if you play too much you can get burned....

I prefer to live each moment and enjoy life, no games, just living...
Great poem to awaken the senses..

Peace, love and light,
Amber

Compelling title, pulls the curiosity cord for what the game is going to be. Attention getting for me was "a naked warrior", "Hopscotching" (what a creative look at the chess moves), and especially "seek not the I/but instead the To Be". Enjoyed this ~~ Diana

Ah yes, Odin, "the game awaits us all," and there is nothing we can do to prepare for what it decides to surprise us with. Born bloody and screaming many leave this life in the same manner. Unlike the Wandering Jew who must traipse the earth's circumference forever, we have only a short time to come to terms with ourselves and our course in life. Most will not understand the meaning of life until the end, and even then we are not sure they truly understand, and sadly, if they do, they realize they've lived in frivolous futile.

Odin,
the games is constantly ongoing as is breath.
Budd