Too Many Spades

Idly shuffle the cards Lay them out on the table In whatever shape you like. Turn them over, one by one. Is that Jack of hearts Your first real boyfriend? The one who broke up with you Because you “weren’t his type”? The one who broke your heart For the first time? Turn over some others. Three of spades, seven of spades, Ace and nine of spades – Too many spades. Digging into your psyche, Shoveling up things You don’t want to remember. The dance class your mother Made you take at the club To which you didn’t belong And being the wallflower The teacher had to dance with. Not having a date for the prom When you were on the committee And having to ask your cousin To come from out of town So you could go to the dance. The college boy who told His friends you slept with him After you told him no, And then you had a “reputation”. Dates in college not repeated Because you weren’t “cooperative.” Enough of that! Turn the cards back face down, Stack them up into a pack. Shuffle them over again. Leave them on the table