Open Throated

Cynical is calling life
A zero-sum game, saying

Dog eats dog, never win-win.
More cynical is saying

We can make it a win-win,
If you agree to these rules,

This ideology, this
Noble and fool-proof system.

Claiming to know the secret
Of making life win-win-win,

All around, is just hustling.
Actually, you only wish

It were a zero-sum game.
It’s a negative-sum game.

You play against each other,
Or for your team against teams,

Or to construct the greatest,
Kindest, righteous, most peaceful

Civilization of teams,
Which will defeat ruthless teams,

And it might, but you forget—
The house always gets its cut.