The Shell Game

I anxiously hand over a piece that I thought would be returned 10 fold
she forcefully places the sphere on the table and it begins to roll
She slams and old worn out cup over the tattered ball
And effortlessly pulls it back and forth asking me to recall

She shows me what she wants me to see while playing this game
I keep losing what I give but I keep playing just the same
It could be my self deprecation that keeps me grinning
or maybe the delirious dream of what would happen if I start winning

An eleventh hour revelation conforms to an audible declaration
“Ok. I’m done. Play this game with the next sap in rotation.”
I gather what was not given and try to forget what was lost
My participation in this game was tragic but the lesson what worth the cost

Never again will I be defrauded by this pointless game
as I walked away from her table, I see a beautiful woman that was calling my name
She had a table, a tattered ball and three cups in distress
She asked me if I would like to play her game, and without hesitation, I said “yes!"