A Game of Go

1990-03

Two hackers play Go

they start with the standard moves
soon they enter into Ko

Hataris pass between them

in this battle of the stones

They play for hours

losing sleep and study time
but God is it fun

matching wits against a friend

in this ancient Chinese game

It is a stalemate

or so it seems to a third
watching by their side

these two have played themselves before

now they know eachother's strategy

Black and white stones spread

like a virus on the board
nineteen by nineteen

while they play the clock ticks down

for the life form of their play

Seconds then minutes

each move requires more thought
one places a piece

a move now made - hatari!

then a hack conceeds a point

A line in trouble

desperate fight to save it
marching to the sea

to sacrifice an army

for all its size... still blind

Nearly four A.M.

then the game must be postponed
classes start at eight

a game to be remembered

and played again tomorrow

One to another

`parting's such sweet sorrow`
`you should not come back`

`think you've gotten away huh?`

`just wait until tomorrow!`