Losing Hand

How can one lose what one never had
He was only five weeks old
Or so he was always told
His teen-aged father couldn’t be a dad

So the older couple living all alone
Adopted that baby still lying in a crib
Changed his diapers, washed his little bib
And raised that child to be their very own

Were proud of him when he did so well
Kept him safe and gave him all their love
Said that mommy watched from up above
His future fine so far as one could tell

When he was twelve that life came to an end
Death took another mother from his side
Soon father too left on a final ride
So many losses, so many wounds to mend

What does one do when dealt a losing hand?
Bet it all and hope no one calls your bluff?
Or toss in the cards and say you’ve had enough?
What does one do with no safe place to land?

You play the cards and hope they’re good enough
Hope that they will think you’re holding aces
You smile and look right into all their faces
And hope that they will think that you are tough

Note: This was written in early 2024 I think, or late 2023.
Introspective, thinking of my life and myself.