Once I read in a men's magazine
in the barber's shop
that the man who dies
with the most toys wins.
I thought long and hard
about that statement
and doubt its validity.
The real game might be to control toys
after death.
This game has been played from
the dawn of time.
First was the idea
to take it with you.
Pharos were buried
with all their finery.
But graves ere easy targets
for bold robbers.
So, if you can't take it with you,
next best is to control it
from beyond the grave.
Kings built pyramids
and grand castles.
Again it did not work;
the nose of the Sphinx got shot off
and the walls tumbled.
So a game was invented
with many forms aimed
at preserving control after death.
The first is the grand walk- through.
The dying escort the living
through the house,
pointing to objects
and dictating their disposition.
Finally, the last will and testimony
was the lawyer contribution.
Maximum control was the result
of changing your mind about
who gets what.
Little tags on the bottom of toys
can be changed each time
the living offends with
a missed letter or call.
After having all the walls of my house,
lined with furniture for a while,
I am convinced I have the answer
to the age -old question
of toys and winning!
The winner is the person who draws
life's final breath,
as the last toy
is off to Goodwill.