Minus one—a children’s game
A rising falling melodic arch
Clutch what’s yours or be dismayed
At circle’s edge

Abandoned.
Where there are four
Take one away
The slowest, softest

One to act
Relinquish all
The shadow-child.
From the outside, eyes downcast

The circle of givings, the takings spent
Shadow-child sees it, feels it all
The love and loss
The minus-one.