things happen

seeing the changes things move up and down
each backward step made up by an advance
the things we do that produce smile or frown
are almost random almost all by chance
the news is good and then the news is bad
here's a small hope and here's a small retreat
we're among the chosen then we have been had
but every victory makes up for each defeat
we turn one corner find another curve
there's no straight road no matter what we do
we have to twist and turn we have to swerve
but still we have the chance of getting through
the die was cast a long long time ago
the game has purpose though the play is slow