It’s been a long time, but you remember, let the game begin.
Recovery is over, you feel it begin those diamonds and hearts.
Faded memories of clubs and the ace of spaces.
Ah, you’re older and wiser as it starts again.

“On a warm summer’s evenin’, on a train bound for nowhere.
I met up with the gambler: we were both too tired to sleep”

A quick accounting, you check your pocket.
Losses recovered and some to spare.
You know not to play the blind, you pass with a knock.
The jokers removed, the rooks are all there.

“He said, “son, I’ve made a life out of readin’ people’s faces.”

A comfortable position, eyes half open, sizing up the table.
You’ve learned to watch for tells, the signs of the bluff.
Your turn to draw, you pick one, will it be able.
Will it fill the hole of that inside straight, or will it be rough.

“And knowin’ what their cards were by the way they held their eyes”

Not a good fit, bluff it through, try again or cut your losses.
The tension inside touching a wound, can you keep your cool.
Running through your head, the song “The Gambler”, curses.
It occurs to you, in this game there are no rules.

“You got to know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em
know when to walk away, know when to run.”

Maybe too soon, or maybe wiser, but this time you walk away.
Broke again, that empty hollow, hunger within.
Next time you won’t play for such high stake.
A single determined tear, to find something yet, you’ll try a new game.

“So I handed him my bottle and he drank down my last swallow.
Then he bummed a cigarette and asked me for a light.”

As for me, I no longer play poker, there’s no winning that game.
So maybe you’re my One, will you try playing pool?
Will we talk for hours, find out we’re the same.
Can we learn to trust each other, no one the fool?

“cause every hand’s a winner and every hand’s a looser”

Come, let me teach you pinochle, canasta, no risk.
To win or to loose, no loss, we are not in a tourney.
One deck, between us, a game of fun, the winner is kissed.
Each deal played with two hands, one heart, not a game, it’s a journey.

“And somewhere in the darkness the gambler, he broke even.
And in his final words I found an Ace that I could keep.”

An Ace of Hearts...love, new love. Good one and well
written.

Thanks Venu. If you have any constructive criticism will take it well
too and still say thanks.

Here's to New meetings,
and to New FRIENDS!!!