I WAS a lawyer like Harmon Whitney Or Kinsey Keene or Garrison Standard, For I tried the rights of property, Although by lamp-light, for thirty years, In that poker room in the opera house. And I say to you that Life's a gambler Head and shoulders above us all. No mayor alive can close the house. And if you lose, you can squeal as you will; You'll not get back your money. He makes the percentage hard to conquer; He stacks the cards to catch your weakness And not to meet your strength. And he gives you seventy years to play: For if you cannot win in seventy You cannot win at all. So, if you lose, get out of the room -- Get out of the room when your time is up. It's mean to sit and fumble the cards, And curse your losses, leaden-eyed, Whining to try and try. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: HILDRUP TUBBS by EDGAR LEE MASTERS HOMAGE TO SEXTUS PROPERTIUS: 2 by EZRA POUND ECHO AND SILENCE by SAMUEL EGERTON BRYDGES THE MARIPOSA LILY by INA DONNA COOLBRITH ON THE MEMORABLE VICTORY OF PAUL JONES by PHILIP FRENEAU THE CAGED GOLDFINCH by THOMAS HARDY |