Poker face

My mother always said, “one day you might

Play when the stakes trump the game, and then dear

Keep your wits about you and your hand sleight

And don’t count your winnings ’til you’re in the clear.

Play your men like your cards, dear, and never

Keep your cards in hand after you’re quite done;

Discard and shuffle quickly if you’re clever

And find a new hapless victim to con.”

So if you think your love and your roses

Your good looks, better bank statements and embrace,

Will catch me this time and make me Mrs.

I’ll-settle-for-a-jack-in-lieu-of-an-ace;

You’re dumber than most, and that’s a hell of a lot

 

and I’ll take you for all that you’ve got.