Check

I’m not up to this game,
I never have been.
What does it mean to win?
The loser gets the same reward and quicker.
But I will not fold,
too many others have bet on my hand.

What if I Should Fail and Fall?

When young they took my youth away
chaotic nights, uncertain days
I used my eyes, saw through it all,
but what if I should fail and fall?

Exposed, abused, then sent to hell
“for my own good, to make me well”
I set my face and fooled them all,
but what if I should fail and fall?

I grew, and strong, I took the reigns
got good at playing money games
I learned the rules then broke them all,
but what if I should fail and fall?

Five times alone did I do right
So here’s what keeps me up at night
my family counts on me for all
but what if I should fail and fall?

Looking Back

Looking back
We see simplicity
Regular lines of fixed length
The voice of our fathers
Incapable of modern expression
Trite
Ineffective
A phase best forgotten
The fodder of fools.

Yet I recall my father as a strong man
He wore a smile and had a booming voice
When he spoke the world itself would tremble
In fear or delight, it was always his choice.