Snakes & Ladders

Most days I seem to know
a little less
than I did the day before

Sometimes I even find myself kneeling
almost-clueless
before the All-Knowing

Nobody ever warned me
that life is a giant game of snakes
and ladders

And just when I think I know the rules of the game
some hungry crooks run off with all the ladders
and I swear some of those painted snakes are actually
real

Suddenly I am scooped
off the board
by a silver beaker
and am shaken and shaken
until I am a sack of rattling bones

Yesterday at least I thought I was a colourful counter

Today I discover that I’m the dice