player of games

I enjoy the books of Iain Banks, and the title (but nothing else!) of player of games is a nod in his direction.

Think your thoughts and move your army; make initial sacrifice;
tally up your wins and losses; shake your fist and roll the dice;
at your feet another loser; doomed before the game began;
his life in pieces laid before him; sorry he had made a stand.
Oh, the fool; was all in vain.

But you are only a player of games sitting alone in your chair
gazing at pieces displayed on the board; plotting your next love affair.

Half your life you've played to win and losing is a distant thought;
you don't entertain the notion; ev'ry battle's bitter fought;
once your victims are ensnared, you close in for the painful kill;
never do you show them pity; never have and never will.
Oh, your heart is cold as ice.

But you are only a player of games sitting alone in your chair
gazing at pieces displayed on the board; plotting your next love affair.

Round and round your prey is dancing; doesn't know he's done for yet;
you encourage him to stay, but he can see he's going to get
nothing but a life of trouble; nothing to offset the pain
as you pull him ever closer, lick your lips and strike again.
Oh, your soul is black as night.

But you are only a player of games sitting alone in your chair
gazing at pieces displayed on the board; plotting your next love affair.

(©2001 Stewart Bowman)