British Go Journal No. 55. March 1982. Page 26a.

The Cornerstone

Francis Roads

Pity the Club Secretary sitting all alone.
Go is meant for two: you cannot play it on your own.
"I couldn’t get along last week."
"I went to hear Roy Jenkins speak."
"We all would certainly have come if only we had known."

Pity the Club Secretary putting out the sets.
Will there be two, or four, or six tonight? He’ll take no bets.
"I had a spot of work to do."
"I think I’ve got a touch of ‘flu."
"There’s badminton on Channel 2."
But rooms cost rent, and even good excuses don’t pay debts.

Pity the Club Secretary’s two hours of despair.
Yet still he hopes and wonders, but can only sit and stare.
"This club is just a hopeless mess.
Where are they all? I couldn’t guess.
Shall I resign, and take up chess?"
But no, however much you let him down, next week, he’s there!