My first hand began with two red queens
lady hearts <~and~> madame diamonds
two powerful bitches as ever there was
neither’d be mistaken for the queen of oz
loved ‘em both — they sacred me
shared ‘em both — they loved me
the dealer dealt me three more cards
each one was a king
thought to myself
we gotta full house here
ain’t that a helluva thing
had this sly smile on my face
my pair’o ladies — leather’n lace
we were sure to do some damage
in this cold n’lonely poker place
saw my opponent comin’
stared straight into his ugly face
his was a handful’a heavy black clubs
a fierce flush from ten to ace
was this the time for my disgrace
knew I’d never beat his heavy crew
need’ta change m’plans — try sumthin’ new
but diamond lady wanted blood
that warrior woman is a stud
the story is true about the diamond queen
a crazy royal tempest — dirty, down, and mean
but m’lady of the hearts is a lady true
fightin’ ain’t what she do
compared with m’lady “D”‘s lit anger
as tough as any red queen could be
my lady “H” simply ain’t no “banger”
she wouldn’t be much help to me
the beauty of my queen of hearts
is revered by wealthy lords
finest poets of the realm
wax on in sweet accords
she gets the smitten “marks” to the table
from there my queen of ICE is able
my diamond lass is killer cunning
she’ll kick your ass if she sees you coming
n’there’s another thing ‘ya see
she happens also to be
the lethal red queen of swords
a warrior of very few words
yes, we lost the hand for sure
but then we won the war
we — got all the money
that gang’o clubs
just got the door
*
rob kistner © 2022
Poetry at: The Sunday Muse
Poetry at: Poets & Storytellers