He never touched cards
Never put a foot into a casino
Never bet on horses
Did not play the lottery
But he is a gambler
Got married at nineteen
Betting that his love
And the love of his girl
Would easily overcome
The 50% divorce rate
Always wanted to be
His own boss, control destiny
Betting he could beat
All the obstacles
And run his own business
Bought a large house
Expensive fast cars
Jewelry for his wife
Never once thinking the
Bank could foreclose
Waiting all alone
For his free meal
At the Salvation Army
Finally realizing
He had lost the gamble
-
Author:
Alfred Peyer (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: September 18th, 2017 11:52
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 384
- Users favorite of this poem: WL Schuett, Accidental Poet
Offline)
Comments10
Well I've never set foot in a casino, wouldn't have a clue how to bet on the horses and haven't the vaguest idea how to play any game of of cards whether or not playing for money (except snap with the kids that is) and what's more I haven't the faintest desire to partake in any of these activities. At least the odds are shortened in my favour - nice one Fred.
Thanks Michael, and that is what this poem is all about. While we don't have to be gamblers in what is usually understood as being a gambler, we gamble every day. From one of your comments I understand you brought 5 paintings to the gallery. Isn't that a gamble too? Hoping they would take all of them (which they actually did, right?). When you paint or write, you gamble that somebody will like it.
Yes you are so right and it's been a good day for me - I did a painting for Cardinal Bo of Burma (just name dropping) a while back and I debated if it was wise to put it on the internet as it was quite a personal matter. Anyway I took a gamble and did so and it has just been spotted by someone and another commission for the same subject was received this morning. It has since started a whole string of unbelievable family coincidences which are still unravelling but that is another story.
It is said especially by my Mother back in the day that you shouldn't gamble with what you can't afford to lose ... but life's just not that simple is it .... good write Fred
Thank you WL, so true, but despite that, many people gamble with their lives, their future, their happiness, etc.
A fine write Fred.
Thank you orchidee, glad you liked it.
We are all gamblers in a sense on the life stage, and the stake is our future.
This poem is bit heavy.
Thanks M&M, heavy as in.....?
debt.
A tough life-lesson well described in this one, Fred! Kudos.
Thank you Louis, and many times we only realize the gamble by the time it is too late.
Wow Fred! The end surprised me. Was not expecting this. Great fun reading.
Thanks Malu, I am sure the guy waiting for his free meal was not expecting this kind of ending. But maybe it is not an ending, but a new beginning. You know the saying: Once you hit rock bottom, the only way is up!
Yes, you are so right.
A poignant ending for the gambler who never touched cards Fred - a lesson in this perceptive write. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Fay, you don't have to touch cards to either win or lose!
sings:-
i used to be a big shot long time ago
had a cadillac and whole lotta doe
real fine women used to track me down
now not one o those girls can be found
i'm broke
stone cold broke
aint got a lousy dime
(not my words)
but everything we do is a gamble as you rightly point out, and not just for money.
Thanks da, you are right, most of the time it is NOT for money.
Yes Fred, life is a gamble to which the outcome could go in many directions. But without some risk, life would be like living in windowless room and no way in or out. Like martina said, a calculated risk is attractive. Great write Fred. ; )
Thanks so much, AP, of course you are right. No risk, no fun. I used to race motocross, even though the risk is not as high as in roadracing, it was still there. Loved it though!
This can be very true and seems to happen so often and possibly through no fault of their own. Good write.
Thank you Goldfinch, yes it does happen, but if it is through no fault of their own is questionable.
A colleague of mine told me of one of his friends who had a very successful business but it went bust as he would supply services to customers but some of the customers just would not pay and the legal ways of trying to get the money were both time consuming and expensive - it became a Catch 22 situation.
When you are in business, you have to be careful that you don't end up relying on one or two customers. If they don't pay your business my be in danger. This is one of the basic business rules and if you don't follow that, and you go down the drain you nobody to blame but yourself.
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