a poem for poker players

ace's up...

sitting down at the round table,

with a gleam in my eye...

observing the opponents around me,

adrenaline running high.

as the shuffle begins the process,

and the cards are in the air.

the blinds are being posted,

and the players begin to glare.

i'm looking down at aces,

first position is my spot.

i decide to make a raise,

this time i'll bet the pot.

fold, fold, then a call,

the dealer shows the flop,

an ace, a four, a nine of hearts,

a set , so i'm on top.

i bet again, just half the pot.

to encourage the player to call,

to my suprise he raises me,

so i decide to bet it all.

there is nothing out there to hurt me,

so i push in all my chips,

without a thought he calls,

i see he also has trips.

as the turn is being dealt,

i see the panic in his face.

he thought his nines were gold,

he only put me on "one " ace.

as the river is laid down,

and we see the another four.

it aces up my friend,

he's headed for the door.

i've doubled up, i'm in good shape,

to wait...well now i'm able...

to sit back and wait for hands.

so i can make the final table.

will i win, i just can't say,

i can only try to play my best.

the heads up match at the end...

well... that will be my test.

by dawn m fletcher