Taking Turns

by Michael Dylan Welch and Garry Gay

First published in Hammerhorn Lake (Foster City, California: Press Here, 1995) by Garry Gay, John Thompson, and Michael Dylan Welch. Written 3–4 September 1994 on a camping trip at Hammerhorn Lake, California. Download or view the “Four Rengay” trifold, where this rengay also appears, on the Trifold Downloads page. See also “Your Turn,” written with Tanya McDonald.       +

by candlelight

the ace of spades

bent at the corner Michael

with red fingernails

she puts me in check Garry

the lost scrabble piece

turns up this morning

in the vacuum cleaner Michael

leapfrogging

all the pieces—

king me Garry

my turn—I blow the dice

for free parking Michael

cheating

myself

at solitaire Garry