Short Game Rules
Amy Miller

Why play at all?
Short form: She left.
House, you. Kid, her. See?
We're saving time already.

That bitter pit at the base
of my throat — you're out
of bounds. Both hands
where I can see them.

Let's say we skip the kiss
and the horrible first Christmas
and go right to TV dinners
and Korean adoptions

and a new cover for the futon.
There — the house is almost
paid for and your brother
still won't speak to you

and I'll be in the garden
and you can wash the car
and the baby's getting married
and I'll learn to skirt your temper

and won't that be so much better,
us in bed at a decent hour,
old dice dreaming
in a dark game box?
dice