Absent the Games We Play

What if we lived in a world
Where each of us could say
Exactly what we mean
Without fear of the meaning
Being lost or misconstrued?

What if we could really
Be honest with how we feel
And could acknowledge each other
Without having it be taken
As something else?

What if we could freely say
Those magic words
“I love you!”
And have it just be that,
With no reciprocal action required?

What if we could communicate
Our worldly concerns
Without fear of rejection,
Appearing weak,
Vulnerable or ill at ease?

What if we could go on a date
And truly enjoy each other
Moment by moment
Without worrying about
Where the relationship was going?

What if we could be present
To each other
Without consideration
Of past failures
Or fear of future ones?

Wouldn’t that give us
A sense of freedom
Just to be who we are
Without the necessity
Of the games we play?