---

 

Order this writing in the collection book we the Poets available for only $1395

This appears in a pre-2010 issue of Down in the Dirt magazine. Saddle-stitched issues are no longer printed, but you can requesting it “re-released” through amazon sale as a 6" x 9" ISBN# book! Email us for re-release to order.

Charlie’s son’s story

Laura Bontrager

in the darkness, the leaves change, turning
over into fragile red tokens. nature plays
poker with a merciless face; the cards
shuffle through the fingers of fate and
flip fast to the table. raw deal and we
(the family players) gather our hands close.
mother is in debt; my sister and I
are unaware of the rules;
my father is a frightened man.
he has two chips and a needy grip. he has a knot
of cancer in his belly which aches whenever he loses.
he chews an antacid and bluffs high with
combination chemicals. the deal is against him.
mother knits her brow, contemplating the cards,
and fools us all. she rakes in her winnings like leaves,
then quits the table, looking for higher stakes.

Copyright of written pieces remain with the author, who has allowed it to be shown through Scars Publications and Design.Web site © Scars Publications and Design. All rights reserved. No material may be reprinted without express permission from the author.

Problems with this page? Then deal with it...