Home » Poems » Gershon Wolf » The Gambler

The Gambler

Instinct whispered Trust your gut Put your money on it It's a three-foot putt Don't breathe a word Keep your lips sealed If you blow one more It's beg or steal... Your putter meets ball You can't bear to look Was your gut on the money Or is luck just a crook ___________________________________ Note: Visualize miniature golf: A putter is the club you use in miniature golf. A three- foot putt is really short, less than a meter from the hole. Normally golfers don't miss them. But when there's big money riding on the outcome...

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.

Please Login to post a comment

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 11/1/2021 10:29:00 AM

Love the last line!

Gershon Wolf
Date: 11/1/2021 6:03:00 PM

Me, too... And although I wrote, don't think that I have the faintest idea what it means...

Rico Leffanta

Date: 10/25/2021 12:12:00 PM

What I regularly see is people with the talent never earning the gold medal because of nerves, not luck! Attitude makes the difference (since Lady Luck is usually on a Union tea break)!

Gershon Wolf
Date: 10/25/2021 8:13:00 PM

Really, you're right. It's been happening ever since I can remember, just like you said. Some fantastic talents falling short. It's a mental thing, for sure. I remember 1960 especially when John Thomas, our great high jumper, got beat by a little (5' 9") locomotive from the USSR. (Thomas was 6'5" and fluid like liquid silk. But he just choked). Oh, well. And so it goes. Cheers, gw

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 10/25/2021 11:24:00 AM

Gershon , this poem brought back a memory back several decades ago - it was my 28th birthday - our travel agency for 20 years used to organize tours to Swaziland as there was a big Casino there and the Greeks being Gamblers filled my 45 seated hired bus comfortably. I have never been a Gambler but as it was my birthday my family and I joined the tour - at 12.00 midnight of the 28th August all the keen gamblers backed 28, not me I abstained - three times it came up, some won a fortune. Hugs JP

Gershon Wolf
Date: 10/25/2021 8:09:00 PM

So, you are August 28. My youngest so is August 29... And as far as the Casino went for you there, if you had bet, no doubt 28 wouldn't have come up. Right?! I call our gambling capital, Las Vegas -- 'Lost Wages!' Thanks for the interesting 'slice of your life,' Jennifer. Ciao! :) gw

John Lawless

Date: 10/25/2021 11:17:00 AM

Gershon, I "tried" to play golf for short while. A friend told me I should use the clubs as divining rods as it seemed that every ball I hit.....found water.

Gershon Wolf
Date: 10/25/2021 8:02:00 PM

At least he didn't tell you to try that during a lightning storm, John. lol... I actually was pretty good as a teen. I had a 7 handicap, and often shot in the 70's for 18 holes. Haven't played since age 19 though... Just remember: 'Golf' backwards is 'flog.' (Like, whatever). :) gw

Mike Gentile

Date: 10/25/2021 10:02:00 AM

Luck is generally a crook for me GW! I like the way you described a gamblers inner voice! I ignore mine!! Happy Monday!

Gershon Wolf
Date: 10/25/2021 11:46:00 AM

The harder I work, the luckier I get... Yet the more I gamble, the worse my luck is. Now, why is that, Mike?! (Actually I neither work hard nor gamble at all. My only pleasure left is... I'll leave that to your fertile imagination. lol). Take good care, Gershon

Judy Ball

Date: 10/25/2021 9:34:00 AM

So many people love the relaxing game of golf. But sometimes it seems the game is not so relaxing. Me, I'll stick to baseball. I don't have to chase the ball, someone always throws it back at me. (ouch) This is a cute one Gershon. God Bless, JB

Gershon Wolf
Date: 10/25/2021 11:38:00 AM

Fore!Warned, Judy: If you play baseball with me, I'm a real flamethrower. Why, my hard slider has been known to reach speeds up to and including twenty-five miles per hour! Watch out; hit the deck! lol. Thanks, gw

L Milton Hankins

Date: 10/25/2021 9:24:00 AM

It's always harder than it looks, if you ask me. I only bet on sure things!

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 10/25/2021 8:19:00 AM

Some of the miniature golf courses become shabby. I’m only a couple feet bigger than the putter…lol.

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 10/25/2021 7:57:00 AM

This brings a smile. Thanks as well for your visit Gershon.

Gershon Wolf
Date: 10/25/2021 11:36:00 AM

Ha, ha, -- as long as that 'smile' is not due to you slicing your tee shot on the very first hole, Richard!... Straight and True, down the fairway with you! ~ gw