Well Played

By Beau Sia

This book began as an answer to power. In the face of the undeniable, it became a reckoning. Of the lies that are lived to feel belonging. Of the lies that are told to hide shame. Of the lies that are believed to remain within illusions. Well Played is a warning to the present, a welcoming of the truth, and a poet working to earn a way beyond power.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Not a Cult
• Release date: Jun 8, 2020
• ISBN: 9781945649424

Book preview

THE ONLY ASIAN AT THE PARTY

Tends to dress unrealistic.

Arrives before

things really get started.

Laughs while

watching the corners

of everyone’s eyes.

Holds his drink

like they do in Bond movies.

Has one too many,

 but not toooo many.

Knows the exits,

 bathrooms,

& what the

signature cocktail is.

Has creatively explained

where he’s from 3 times already.

Felt a white woman

linger on his shoulder

toooo long.

He looks good enough to eat.

A burst of flavor eager to be washed down.

He wants to know where

everyone is eating afterwards,

but knows

you don’t ask that here.

Reminds someone of

Dave who was soooo crazy in college.

Later gets mistaken for

a valet.

Later overhears some shit

about China

he walks away from.

Later puts a memory

in his pocket

 like he accomplished something

 just by being invited.

Isn’t captivating enough

to be in the movie version.

Has a white girlfriend

that would’ve made this night

less defensive.

And more awkward.

The only Asian at the bash

is a bigger deal

 to the Asians

 looking in from the street.

He treats their envy in the afterwards

 as treasure

 after leaving feeling empty.

Isn’t remembered by those he met,

but everyone keeps saying,

What a colorful event!

HASBEEN

holy shit it feels good

to be a hasbeen.

‘cuz you know me.

hasbeen an addict to

writing until

I’d forgotten my face.

rage until

I lost my voice.

regret until

I started slow deathing the future.

I hasbeen a son

blaming his parents

for america.

a friend

getting got ‘cuz

never taught boundaries

with white