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Open Poetry #9
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The Wisdom of the Aces (response to that scalawag, Local Rebel)
| Open Poetry #9 |
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The Wisdom of the Aces (response to that scalawag, Local Rebel) |
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LngJhnAg Member Elite
since 1999-07-23
Posts 3508Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion 
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Last night I dreamt, in my fitful sleep, of all the things I sought, Of the selfish ways of my life, and the pain that I had wrought. I dreamt of a place where games of chance demanded a higher stake, And the ante to play was paid by withdrawals from a different kind of bank. I dreamt I was walking through a casino of tables and roulette wheels, Each highlighted but for a moment, then becoming vague and surreal. Then just ahead, in its own special light, a table and chairs appeared, And the woman there, in her black velvet gown, beckoned me to draw near. She sat at the felt-covered table across from an empty chair, With a deck of cards before her, she invited me to sit there. "I notice this table is empty," I said, "What's the stake to play?" "Nothing you haven't gambled before, and won't finally lose today." "How much do you need for my ante?" I said, as I took my place, Confident in my gambling abilities, ignoring the tone of the place. Her emerald green eyes held me, I surrendered to their control, "Surely you know this game by now; just a piece of your soul." I'm always looking to get ahead, no matter what the deal, And I was flushed with the hidden passions that her green eyes made me feel. So, eagerly, I anted a piece of my soul to receive the cards she dealt, The corners of her mouth uplifted as the first flashed o'er the felt. Lifting the corner slightly, the ace of diamonds whispered to me, "Trust in the riches you already possess, not in the ones you seek." I smiled at this sage bit of wisdom; but, I gambled by opening the bet, A piece of my soul wouldn't cost much considering all I could get. The next card appeared before me, as if coming out of thin air, Bending it back only a bit, the ace of clubs greeted me there, "Trust in your soul to guide you; you'll never lose your way again," I chose my own direction and bet more of my soul on the hand. Though salvation lay in the cards in my hand, and in how I played this game, When I lifted my eyes to the dealer, I felt despair for my soul all the same. She held me pinned with her emerald gaze, with confidence in her eye, Though I held two aces in two cards, my spirit and throat ran dry. The table hissed as the next card came, and burned where it touched my hand, An ace of spades joined the diamond and club, but I failed to understand: "Trust the power of life to bring you joy, not in what could have been." As with the others, I ignored this advice, and added to the bet again. Each time I raised she'd ponder my bet, then, with her knowing smile, She'd check the balance of my account, then add to the growing pile. "Can you really afford to play this game?" she said with a wicked laugh, Pinning me down with emerald eyes that had reduced my soul to half. I licked the sweat from my upper lip as I prayed for the final ace, And the ace of hearts sailed across and rested in its rightful place. "Trust the power of love to save your soul, for nothing can buy it back," The advice it whispered fell on deaf ears; four aces can do all that. A smile teased onto my lips as I welcomed this turn in my fate, Four aces are rare and, without a doubt, worth the rest of my stake. Her emerald green eyes flashed again as she dealt the last of the hand, Whatever the card, it didn't matter, the aces alone would stand. "The bet is yours," she counseled, "Remember the stake that I've set." "I'll wager the rest of my soul," I announced, not understanding the bet. Her wistful smile reassured me as I laid aces out one at a time, A diamond, a club, a spade, a heart. I knew that the pot was mine. She laid her straight flush on the table, with fire flashing in her eyes, "You should have folded and saved your soul, but you had other things to buy." "Now that you've nothing left to play, this game has come to its end," "You carelessly gambled away your soul, and you'll not have that chance again." I staggered away from the table, but there was nowhere else I could go, For there are no suitable destinations for a man without a soul. I reflected on all the things I had before I'd foolishly paid for my hand, And realized the wisdom of the aces was now easy to comprehend. Then I awoke and sighed with relief, for it had only been a dream, The felt-covered table, the deck of cards, and the eyes of emerald green. But just before those visions died in the light of the coming day, I heard again, somewhere deep within, the wisdom of every ace. "Trust in your soul to guide you and you'll never lose your way again." "Trust the power of life to bring you joy, not in what could have been." "Trust in the riches you already possess, not in the ones you lack." "Trust the power of love to save your soul, for nothing can buy it back." [This message has been edited by LngJhnAg (edited 08-27-2000).] |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
Amazing LngJhn! Incredible imagery and story telling here, lined with such wonderful pearls of wisdom! I'm really taken with the way you wove in the final lines throughout ... extremely well thought-out and compiled LngJhn! Excellent!!!  Best wishes, /Kit |
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Mark Bohannan Member Rara Avis
since 2000-06-21
Posts 7269In the winds of Cherokee song |
"Trust in your soul to guide you and you'll never lose your way again." "Trust the power of life to bring you joy, not in what could have been." "Trust in the riches you already possess, not in the ones you lack." "Trust the power of love to save your soul, for nothing can buy it back." Okay already.....so you taught me something.....dont rub it in huhhhhh!!!! wonderful verse you ..... you..... well let's call it poetic friend.  Much thought and wisdom from you today and I take the lesson with me to try and learn. Thanks ole man.  |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Emerald green eyes winking {~,^} here, LngJhn...and confess by the way, how DID I look in that black velvet dress!? And if you walked away from this dream a winner... then indeed, dear Sailor, it was I the only sinner...! |
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LngJhnAg Member Elite
since 1999-07-23
Posts 3508Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion |
Kit - Believe it or not, I actually WORKED on this poem, and it still has a rough spot or two, but I do appreciate your comments - This poem grew as I wrote, and it is about twice as long as I had intended it to be. Mark - Thanks for the comments about using the wisdom - This poem stretched me just a bit - Some of those aces required that I dig deeper than usual. Karilea - How did you look in that dress? I don't know, all I could picture was you out of that dress - heh heh. |
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Marge Tindal 
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
LongJohn~ This poem is a touch of brilliance. The 'work', as you refer to it, is evident. WOW ! 'The table hissed as the next card came' I swear I heard it ... I'm bookmarking it to remind you to submit it for the next book ! You really did a bang-up job on it, my friend. I'm suitably impressed. ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ noles1@totcon.com |
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WhtDove Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245Illinois |
LJ this positively stunning work! You've written a hell of a tale here... This is a keeper for sure! I love it! Please check your email!! |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
LngJhnAg, I ditto what was said above And to give it another shove I'll kiss you back upon the brow But that is just to hold you know. Good poem enjoyed the read. |
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Sudhir Iyer Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943Mumbai, India : now in Belgium |
This is the LongJohn that I know... O sailor Man, you have made me proud with the thought that I read your poetic works... regards, sudhir |
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Lorelei54 Member
since 1999-07-27
Posts 458 |
Living with a poet is not always fun Sometimes it seems nothing ever gets done. But when the results are as good as this I'm reminded that your words are bliss. |
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juliet_2u Senior Member
since 2000-07-23
Posts 1125North Carolina |
Juls |
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X Angel Senior Member
since 1999-11-07
Posts 1521Oregon |
Ya ol' Sailor.... This was an incredible example of your awesome talent! And to think I met you...wowsers! Poor Lorelei... ahh but! the end result is worth the pain  *hugs* ~H |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
Quite a bit of wisdom from a "rogue" Quite a storyteller you are And quite a talented poet This is wonderfully told with a powerful message. Did Toe teach you to write like this? Liz |
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LngJhnAg Member Elite
since 1999-07-23
Posts 3508Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion |
Marge - Bookmarking it? That is a truly wonderful compliment! Thank you for hanging in there - I know its long, but I hope its worth the extra reading. Rebecca - I checked my mail - the answer is YES - and I am absolutely blown away by your request. Thank you very much. Sy - a simple smooch is all I ask, for to receive more would be a dreadful encroachment - lol. I'm glad you enjoyed. Sudhir - Your compliments are the most unique I've ever read - straight from the heart. Ahhhh, my sweet, dear Lorelei - your words are the music that drives my heart - I love you more every day. Lil Jules - I'm starting to blush with these wonderful words of encouragement. It is truly a blessing to have such wonderful critics. Heather - Meeting was you was something I am not likely to forget. Your words are precious to me. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Liz!!!! grrrrr - that comment concerning the rascal Toe hits really hard - lol. I will always treasure a compliment from a Poet Laureate such as you. Thank you. |
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BSC
Moderator
Member Elite
since 2000-02-04
Posts 2919New York, USA |
WOW, this is simply outstanding LngJhn, a wonderful tale from first line to last. Bonnie |
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LngJhnAg Member Elite
since 1999-07-23
Posts 3508Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion |
Thanks Bonnie - I don't mean to sound like I'm blowing my own horn, but I think it ranks right up there with "Poor Little Bo," which has kept me smiling since I read itI yesterday. That was a real stroke of genious! |
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Lorelei54 Member
since 1999-07-27
Posts 458 |
I can't let this slip away..I know there are great masses out there looking for a poem to read today!! |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Nice one, LJA.. Life is quite a gamble, isn't it? Too bad we can't always pull a straight flush, eh?  [This message has been edited by Nan (edited 08-27-2000).] |
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linda munday Member
since 2000-06-17
Posts 315Adelaide, Australia |
WOW AMAZINGLY WOW When I first saw the length of this I thought to myself, should I read it now or later. Then I decided to read it now, and I am so glad that I did, because it would have to be one of the best poems I've read to date. I loved the whole thing, the wisdom slotted into the wonderfully constructed words and woven into an entertaining tale, that made the whole thing seem too short. Simply wonderful, oh yeah and thanks for replying to my Restoration of the Heart... you encouraged me immmensely. Linda M. p.s. I have bookmarked the page too. |
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Local Rebel Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-21
Posts 5767Southern Abstentia |
Sounds more like the wisdom of a nefarious pirate to me... Great Tome bard john... thanks |
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LngJhnAg Member Elite
since 1999-07-23
Posts 3508Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion |
nan - Thanks for the neato graphic and your approval. Both (especially the approval) make me feel pretty good. Linda - Your poem stands on its own - I enjoyed it very much. Thanks for dropping in and reading awhile - lol. Hawk - Yanno, your challenges can be a real bear - lol. |
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ggrn3 Member
since 2000-08-17
Posts 433Nahunta Georgia U.S. |
My dear Sailor Man When I read this I thought it was great. It not the usual poem Poking fun at "deer" of late. You are an excellent poet This I have come to know. I've read most of your post And all your words seem to flow. So whether your poem is in fun Or on the serious tip, I'm going to always read them Because I love the trip. YOU BLEW ME AWAY WITH THIS ONE. Garfield |
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LngJhnAg Member Elite
since 1999-07-23
Posts 3508Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion |
Hey, Garfield - neato response. Thanks for the reading - and the remarks. |
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