A Primer in Game Theory

When you walk to the end of the pier
make sure you're not alone

and when you turn
make sure he turns first

because in a world, where breath is cheap,
words are simply that.

When he offers gold,
ask for bread

the crumbs to line your pockets,
the crusts to sharpen your teeth.

MAURICE DEVITT

A graduate of the MA in Poetry Studies at Mater Dei, he is the recent winner of the Trocaire/Poetry Ireland Competition 2015. He has been placed or shortlisted in many competitions including the Over the Edge New Writer Competition, Cuirt New Writing Award, the Listowel Writers' Week Collection Competition and the Doire Press International Chapbook Competition. He has had poems published in various journals in Ireland, England, Scotland, the US, Mexico, India and Australia and is a founder member and chairperson of the Hibernian Writers' Group.