I saw Your Hand

       
       
     
         
         
The bar-room    
had a saloon air,
some strange country music    
playing background;        
the timber-finish        
- swing doors        
round tables, seating eight    
(Texus-Holdem plays ten        
on a full table        
but the house needs some odds)        
   
they sat in shadowed light        
-all seven          
the dealer had dealt        
an extra Ace        
to the lady          
with an orange bow        
         
the chap in the leather hat  
lit a cigarette        
as they invited        
him to sit        
at the green        
"The game is far in, boy        
but you can comment        
from seat three"        
         
he declined....        
         
The game played three rounds        
- she dropped that Ace        
when the wrong card spun        
         
he breathed        
-held a bullet        
to be honest        
he thought          
RUN!        
-but the lady          
had a guy watching        
from the bar with a gun        
         
As the sun slipped      
under blankets of        
the horizon      
and shade        
covered window panes          
there were none that knew      
how the play ended        
but it's hard        
even          
in          
cowboys        
and cards        
not to leave a scathed        
horse-rider        
when the table folds.