Everything's a Game

Mainstreamers say life's not always a game,

It's sometimes solo maximization,

Bowling alone, no one else in the frame,

Arcing a curve of optimization.

In the critical view, it's all a game,

Each of our selves is deeply divided,

We want privacy, en'mies, love, and fame,

We're ambivalent and multi-sided.

We never stop playing games with ourselves,

With our peers and with all other critters,

We are earthy mole rats and airy elves,

We float free and we're tied to our litters.

Dividedness is actuality,

The critical line is reality.

[Part IV]