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
brilliant 🙂
Thanks AJ… 🙂
Rob, I simply could NOT stop smiling at this really entertaining poem! I am listening to Folk/Americana music right now and I swear you could sing this.
Glad you enjoyed this Helen. The ballad of the two red queens… 🙂
Wow, everyone went with the Red Queen. Gotta love ’em both, what else are you going to do?
And I do love ’em both Q — it’s true… 😉
Winners and losers
The red queen surely knows her way around.
Much?love
Much love to you my friend… 🙂
I agree with Helen … this is a song in waiting. 🙂
🙂 well, I have certainly written enough lyrics in my life Penelope, perhaps its a subconscious roadmap for me? Thank you BTW…
I too want to hear this one as a song. Sometimes you gotta have a lady with a heart and others you need one that can fight. Seems you were dealt quite a hand. 🙂
Nice to have one that is both in your life Susie… 🙂
Lady love and lady warrior… there’s a place for both of them in one’s life, for sure!!!
Indeed Rajani, yes indeed… 🙂
Ha, love this absolute gem of a poem. The brave wins in the end. I agree, the poem should be put to music.
The queens in your poem remind me of that Eagles’ song, ‘Desperado’. I think you should know the lyrics about the The Queen of Diamonds and the Queen of Hearts. 🙂
Thank you dsnake… 🙂 …yes, it could make a wonderful song!
Oh, I love the way you enter into this persona / voice and all the well-drawn details. A tour de force!
Thank you so much Rosemary, I appreciate it my ftiend… 🙂