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a wise man called my bluff
by Laura Doomas I sat
in a very small attic-world
of my own making
reading between other people's lives,
a used-card dealer
with a reputation for integrity
dropped through the skylight
and dealt me a hand
the cards were sharp
diamond-edged
they sliced my flesh
drew blood
left a scar
i studied the hand;
asked the dealer
to divulge the name of the game
the dealer
realizing his mistake
apologised
explained;
he had mistaken me
for a member of his circle
and left me there
to lick my wounds
for a moment
as i closed out the sky
i wanted to know more
about the game, the players,
the benefits of joining the club
but in my heart of hearts
knew that, in folding,
i would lose everything of value
i closed my eyes
tried to picture the cards
hold them, feel them...
...the cards were marked
and i understood
no matter what the rules
nothing could redeem that hand
i wondered if those cards were dealt by design
and i was being played
as a dummy hand
in someone else's game
an adult game of bluff and brag
based on inference and assumption
with a sophisticated shuffle
of a child's pack of lies
where a spade is called a knave
and jokers are always wise
i am more at home with solitaire
leaving the wise man
to call his own bluff 11/23/2003 Author's Note: Editorial credit to Barbara Dooley, for resolving the 'what if' scenario when it arose.
Posted on 11/23/2003
Copyright © 2024 Laura Doom
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Chris Sorrenti on 11/24/03 at 08:34 PM Quite profound. Can't help but agree with the other comments. Looks like you dealt yourself a strong hand with this poem. Kudos! |
| Posted by Max Bouillet on 11/24/03 at 08:47 PM There is no game. (as I call the realization police to start pumping more socially distracting data into your input devices) There is no bluff as that would indicate that there is a game. There is no circle. I wish this text box offered subliminal messaging. All kidding aside, this verse articulatly demonstrates the alienation many people feel. The feeling that there is no interconnectedness. That we are all separate entities incapable of meshing together. At times we sense that there is a connection out there and may feel it briefly... then it goes away and we are left feeling even more isolated than before. Hard verse to read as it leaves us with a feeling that we're alone. Still for a verse to have this muh of impact, it means that it is written extremly well. |
| Posted by Michele Schottelkorb on 11/25/03 at 05:55 AM this is incredible... your analogy to life and the game we tend to play is classic and ironic... wise of you to play solitaire... wise, indeed... brilliant piece... blessings... |
| Posted by Rula Shin on 08/09/04 at 05:09 PM Life is a game...the most significant of all games...truths are only half truths amidst the pain and anger we sometimes feel in reaction to the cards dealt to us unexpectedly, shockingly...but there is no shame in having one's bluff called, nor in calling one's own bluff...there is only beauty in the lessons learned. Magnificent poem Laura, truly well expressed and delivered. |
| Posted by Kristina Woodhill on 08/07/06 at 02:26 AM Most excellent! Great ending.... |
| Posted by Richard Vince on 10/30/07 at 07:22 PM great stuff, as always. there really ought not to be any of your work i've not read, but alas i've not managed to get through it all yet. maybe one day. |
| Posted by Joan Serratelli on 03/16/09 at 01:00 PM Great piece- congrats on POTD! Loved the ending. |
| Posted by Kristina Woodhill on 03/16/09 at 03:13 PM Well deserved POTD! Congrats! |
| Posted by Laurie Blum on 03/16/09 at 04:25 PM Wonderful selection for POTD! Your sharp wit always entertains Laura! |
| Posted by Gabriel Ricard on 03/16/09 at 04:45 PM Hell yeah. |
| Posted by George Hoerner on 03/16/09 at 07:45 PM Hey lady this is a great piece and certainly deserves POTD! |
| Posted by Elizabeth Jill on 03/16/09 at 09:37 PM You are the only person I've met who has a mind with such a creative labyrinthine that can pull off words, toss them like thesaurus salad, then inspire any reader to dive in. Great glee, Laura, I am in great glee to find your poem here where it surely belongs! |
| Posted by Morgan D Hafele on 03/19/09 at 09:57 PM fantastic! |
| Posted by Elizabeth Jill on 01/05/10 at 02:23 AM Just had to cover my mind in this one again. You are beyond gifted. I'm so glad to find you! |
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