It’s Just a Game!
By Joseph Blythe
Yes, but a game I played at fifteen,
crashing cars safely while the world
inside my head torched to cinders.
It’s a game that came free with my first PC
and I wasted hours I should’ve spent on GCSEs
praying victory would dull adolescent agonies.
A game that tunnelled my vision while the transit
of the spring and summer suns threw rays
through my window, making walls and carpet glow.
A game soundtracked by my favourite bands.
Not officially, but their music deafened my ears
while I raced to thousands of finish lines.
It’s a game I played today for the first time in years.
Played while sipping a glass of gin. I didn’t win.
Joseph Blythe
Joseph Blythe is a writer from Yorkshire. He has short story and poetry publications present or forthcoming from Stand Magazine, Pennine Platform, London Grip, Ink, Sweat & Tears (winning May 2025’s ‘Pick of the Month’), Bitterleaf Books, Allegro Poetry and more. Currently, he is working on a literary novel about memory for his PhD, alongside a short story collection, various poems, and a fantasy series. He reads and performs widely. Joseph holds an undergraduate degree in English Literature with Creative Writing and a Master’s in Creative Writing. He tweets, Instagrams and Blueskys @wooperark.
Photo credit: Castr Cloud Gaming
Apricot Press 