Jenna Logan Poet Rhyme

Brace For Impact

I never thought of love as a game of chance
Only that we were forever bound by romance
Didn't think it was a gamble to fall in love with you
until the interest on my losses quickly began to accrue

I intended to play the hand that I was dealt
but nothing eased the grieving and pain I felt
I didn't see it coming. I didn't hear thunder's roar.
No time to brace myself from being swept offshore

Fate shuffled the deck, and you got the joker,
A wild card you used as if we were playing poker
Your actions made me falter, wobbly and unsteady
but to walk away from you? For that, I was not ready

I'd already thrown my ante upon the table
and kept playing the game as long as I was able
but I had no seat belt to buckle; no life vest found
I couldn't prevent myself from crashing to the ground

I was unprepared to lose; no time to be braced
against grief and heartache with which I was faced
The stakes were much too high. Should I raise or fold?
I said, "I'm all in." No longer was I willing to be controlled.

I braced myself when you replied, "I'll call."
Never did I think I'd feel so vulnerable or small,
Despite the odds, I steeled myself to see your hand,
but what I saw was fear in your eyes once mine was fanned.

You tried to bluff me with just a pair of kings.
If you felt the need to win, take my wedding rings
You're nothing but a loser, and I'll have the last word.
I've won back my heart before more sorrow was incurred.

You better brace your ego, now that you're alone,
reaping calamity and regret from seeds you've sown.
Love should never be a gambling game that people play.
Your betrayal impacted my life, but I survived to walk away.


June 6th, 2022 
This or That, Vol 12 Contest
Sponsored by Edward Ibeh
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Edward Ibeh July 2, 2022 at 4:53 PM What a brilliant poem, Jenna:-) You took the theme in a direction I didn't expect. Heartiest congratulations on your top win in my contest! Jenna Logan July 3, 2022 at 3:17 AM It was a direction I wasn't sure you'd appreciate, but it's where my thoughts led. Thank you for rewarding it with a place of valued honor in your contest, Edward.

Paula Goldsmith July 2, 2022 at 10:32 AM Congratulations on your win. A "Wonderful" write/story. Love your line, "Your betrayal impacted my life, but I survived to walk away." Many times one needs to just walk away. Have a great/blessed day....................... Jenna Logan July 3, 2022 at 3:15 AM Thank you for letting me know of a line you particularly enjoyed, Paula.

Kenneth Cheney June 10, 2022 at 10:37 AM Very well written and interesting analogy of love as a poker game. If love IS a poker game I say lay all your cards on the table, some hands you win, some you lose, just never quit the game. Jenna Logan June 11, 2022 at 2:21 AM Open honesty is always the best way to make a marriage, or any relationship, work. Thanks for reading and leaving your comments, Kenneth.

Ann Foster June 7, 2022 at 1:57 PM I survived... says everything. Well written... Full of excellent imagery. Ann Jenna Logan June 11, 2022 at 2:20 AM Thank you very much for the kind comments, Ann.

Mark Koplin June 7, 2022 at 5:28 AM I love it! I was led right through the heartache and loss with brilliant flow to see your true strength at the end! Awesome!! Jenna Logan June 7, 2022 at 7:02 AM Thanks a whole lot for your review of this rather long tale of woe. Gotta know when to hold em...

Caren Krutsinger June 6, 2022 at 11:34 PM This is marvelously penned, and you used end rhymes. What? BRAVO! Jenna Logan June 7, 2022 at 7:00 AM Thanks very much, Caren.

L Milton Hankins June 6, 2022 at 1:02 PM Incredibly fine writing, Jenna. Wow! This is, frankly, too good for a contest! It is surely a top-notch entry, and I hope it is appropriately recognized. This must have taken some time in the writing (weaving the gambling theme throughout) because it is so precise and the rhymes are perfect. Good stuff! Jenna Logan June 7, 2022 at 7:00 AM We'll see how it's received by the sponsor. I did go a bit rogue perhaps, with the direction I took. I am honored by your complimentary remarks, Milt. Whether it makes it to the winning list or not, thank you ever so much.

Tom Cunningham June 6, 2022 at 12:10 PM A brilliant write Jenna, love how you wove the gambling theme into your story, I'd say you had the winning hand. Tom Jenna Logan June 7, 2022 at 6:58 AM Thank you for reading and leaving your thoughts, Tom. It's fiction, but it's what I'd have done.

David Kavanagh June 6, 2022 at 12:09 PM I never really thought of a relationship as a card game Jenna, but your allusion and metaphors work so well in this piece, and in the end you just about got out without losing everything, indeed a very impactful write about breakup, and great one for the contest, cheers David Jenna Logan June 7, 2022 at 6:57 AM Hi David. It's sad that some people treat a relationship like a game. Lose one hand, I'll just get another. :( I happy you appreciated my metaphors. Thanks so very much for commenting.