Best Gambler Poems
Now there's no old man sitting there,
just an empty rocking chair.
But the things he said will always be around.
The Gambler is now at rest, on a train bound for nowhere.,
and sometimes all the nights can be so long.
I've longed for love like everyone else does,
longing for shelter from all that we see.
While she lays crying, I fumble with a melody or two,
and I'm torn between the things that I should do.
It's better everyday, you've kissed my tears away,
I know I'll keep searching even after today.
I want to say I love you, forever let me wake to see you,
you have gone and made me such a fool,
won't you believe in my song?
I will find a way, find a way..you're my lady.
I'm hungry for laughter and here ever after,
I'm after whatever the other life brings.
But it won't be long I've heard them say until I'm not around,
And yes, it's true that I'm not the man I used to be.
He turned back toward the window, his faced lost all expression..
He said, "If you're gonna play the game boy, gotta learn to play it right.
That's the secret to survivin'.,know when to fold 'em.
The Gambler crushed out his cigarette..,and faded off to sleep.
Now there's no old man sitting there,
just an empty rocking chair.
But the things he said will always be around.
"Youth only happens to you one time
An so I've been told
If you should miss it in your young time
Have it when you're old" -K.R.
Kenny Rogers RIP August 21, 1938 – March 20, 2020
He plied the Mississippi River on the paddle wheeler 'Dandy Dame'.
Gamblin' was his profession and three-card monte was his game.
He became very creative at palmin' that elusive ace of spades.
Such dexterity and sleight of hand he had practiced for decades!
He embarked in Saint Louis for a cruise to the town of New Orleans.
On his arm hung one of his gaudily dressed bordello 'queens'!
He wore diamond rings on each finger and impeccably tailored suits,
A homburg hat, pearl studs, gold-tipped cane and alligator boots!
He toted a concealed derringer just in the event there was trouble,
And he took a table near the door so he could lam on the double!
He ordered Jack Daniels bourbon for the dudes he was soon to con,
And sized up the naive and hapless victims who dared to take him on!
The gambler let others win a hand or so to make them feel at ease.
His shill closely watched as the gambler, his moment was to seize!
His winnin's piled up as bettors tried to locate the shiftin' ace.
Losers dropped out of the game and other suckers took their place!
One astute monte player saw the scam and called the gambler's hand.
He drew his forty-fours, chairs toppled and folks fled to beat the band!
The gambler drew his rod but he met his God, blood oozin' on the floor!
His sobbin' 'queen' clasped him to her breast to know his love no more!
Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
© All Rights Reserved
Placed No. 2 in Paula Swanson's "Pick A Card, Any Card" Contest - Jun 2011
Propensity sparks
Betting in numbers to win
Probable goals failed.
Tried bet once more though
Best loved numbers didn't hit
Long waited win ends.
Money for other things
Risking bet to win some more
Awake while asleep.
Dreamt came before dawn
Whilst numbers gone out boxes
Jotted down traces.
Shrewd Gambler wandered
Vivid signs pooped up in mind
Winning is losing.
The steely-eyed hombre stepped down from the stage that sultry afternoon.
He looked about with disdain, then swaggered to the Cripple Creek Saloon.
His hat lay low upon his brow and swung low was a pair of 44's on his hips.
He sported fancy duds and greeted a few loafers with a snarl on his lips.
Jeremiah Slade was the feller's name and gamblin' was his trade.
He sauntered up to the bar and stunned the bartend by orderin' a lemonade!
Then he strolled to a table in the back of the room with his back to the wall.
(This was his usual modus operandi just in case there was a free-fer-all!)
He announced, "Boy's, my name's Jeremiah Slade and gamblin' is my game;
Join me and ante up fer a round of poker, but, boys let's keep it tame!"
Three chumps took the bait and scurried fer Jeremiah's table to grab a chair!
He let the dudes win a game or so to assure that things were fair and square.
Now, unknown to the three suckers, Slade was a professional gyp!
The scoundrel was invited to leave umpteen towns west of the Mississip!
Slade had a few tricks up a sleeve that he soon entered into play.
Mysteriously, numerous aces appeared in his draws and were on display!
The trio got wise to his game and jammed three rods in Jeremiah's face!
He was quickly consigned to eternity fer playin' too many an ace!
Jeremiah was conveyed out of town, that no-good cunnin' knave,
And now lies at the foot of Mount Pisgah a-molderin' in his grave!
Fate knocked me down with two balled fists
robbed me of all with evil twists
disabled and a mass of pain
and left with naught of lifetime’s gain
Rock-hard times hit, no friend in sight
no-one to share my sorry plight
cash ebbed and dwindled at fast pace
starvation hence was what I faced
Disturbing thoughts kept creeping in
e’er prompting: try your greatest sin
compulsion tore apart my soul
just one last time; might reach my goal
Pep-talked myself: don’t be a fool
to challenge Fate without your tools
addicted gambler to the core
slowly my hopes began to soar
With quickened step I pack my load
dead rabbit’s foot and ear of toad
two badger teeth, balls of live bull
a multi-coloured skein of wool
And last a gift from one enthroned
most prized, a yellow opal stone
gained courage with a swig of rum
watch out casino, here we come
I settle in, touch wood of chair
and deftly yank one lock of hair
I line up all my lucky charms
for further luck pinch left-side arm
I moist my lips, give one deep sigh
my opal stone winks back, a-fire
strong presence in my orb I feel
sense Lady Luck spinning her wheel
Still certain I will bear no loss
I rub each coin twixt fingers crossed
the greedy slot accepts them keen
I close my eyes, spell L-U-C-K-Y B-E-A-N
Incensed, I pull the lever down
the gong rings down with loud resound
a rapid blink, open-mouthed stare
I've just become a millionaire!!!
There once was a gambler called Heinz,
Who needed to pay off his fines;
The right numbers he got
For the lotto jackpot -
Alas all on different lines.
*My experience with the lottery last week
The Gambler…
The Gambler…
I asked my mother, she didn’t hear.
I asked my father; he was in fear.
I asked my teacher, he didn’t know;
he turned toward me, ready to blow.
I ask some questions and wonder why.
What happens to us when we all die?
What happens to grapes when become wine?
All sweet and lovely, heavenly fine.
What happens within a dark black cloud?
Shouting and laughing thundering loud!
What is the meaning of life as is?
Learning to lose, and losing it is!
Life is a gamble with no winning hand.
Sooner or later, losing demand.
Hope to have a chance for one more game;
losing and losing no one to blame.
We take chances, sometimes with an Ace!
Nothing is certain but lose with grace.
Another chance, with another glance;
wishful and happy, ready to dance.
No matter aces, no matter kings;
all of us losers, even the kings.
Haloo
6/2014
Let me not be hampered at all.
Allow every chip to fall
I am with spleen displayed
Utterly despaired with tempid tears
Soiled and disheveled,--A POST MARKED SOUL
I have gambled love,
and lost.
I have gambled my money,
and lost.
I have gambled life,
and lost.
I have gambled away time,
and lost.
Is is not about time,
I have gambled on me,
and won?
I'm a gambler,
yes,it's true.
I play on slots
and bingo too.
I get judged,
it's nothing new
because the subject
is still taboo.
I don't criticise things you do
because I am me
and you are you.
Sometimes I play
all night through,
I usually win one or two.
I've won some jackpots,
infact a few,
decent wins
I do accrue.
Before you criticise,
think it through.
How much do I win?
If only you knew!
A lonely figure, I stared at the darkened moon sadness lingering numb. Brokenhearted and penniless I sought answers I knew wouldn’t come. Surged my heart against time, I pondered my fate. Confused but filled with conviction I didn’t hesitate. There far off a murmur came and I took an endless road that led without discretion. The long, dark road spoke to me and enticingly said, I can take you where you shouldn’t tread. Smiling, he asks where are going, better yet where have you been? As if he could read my mind he continued, for you see both ends of the road I have already seen. I shrugged my shoulders, then I said, there is inside me something I cannot shed, I am a loner, have always been, I’m not a loser but then, I just never win. I’ll take my chances for that is who I am, I don’t really care, don’t give a damn. Just then a strong piercing wind blows; still I stood defiant and felt my courage grow. I peered ahead as far as I could, then looked back, as yet not understood. I knew the path I had to choose, I'll roll the dice, got nothing to lose. Somewhere distant along the line I’ll searched for a life I hope to find, perhaps along the way meet my fate a beautiful woman my life's soul mate. Through life’s malaise, I’ve had to travel strewed with sorrow thick as gravel. Somewhere forward and forward hence now the road has taken me to a fence. Beyond this fence I heard a voice that made my wandering heart rejoice “Give me your weary and troubled heart from this mortal strife you must depart.” Where am I now, I cannot tell. Beneath the darkened moon sadness lingering numb, I sadly went for I was just a figure who hedged his bet.
With wit and wisdom and a cunning eye...
At the gaming table Naomi goes on a natural high.
She mulls the odds and places her bet...
And she's never been a loser yet.
With nerves of steel and a will to win...
And a reputation she's eager to defend.
A River Boat gambler is the life for her...
And those who know her all concur.
She sits at the table with emotions of steel...
And if there is to be a winner, she will.
So place your bets and enjoy the scene...
Because when Naomi is gambling she's cunning and mean.
Gangaram the Gambler
ooooo
Gangaram the gambler was shuffling his feet
And fell on River Seine beating a retreat
Are you selling me down ?
Asked Monsieur Beaver Braun
Both fought each other tit-for-tat tat-for-tit
© RAJAT KANTI CHAKRABARTY
14th October, 2014
I'm the gambler with the empty hand
Even though she believes in me
Through the years, I've folded every plan
Twenty years ago, our skies were sunny
Even though she believes in me
They said, don't fall in love with a dreamer
Twenty years ago, our skies were sunny
As I chased islands in the stream
They said, don't fall in love with a dreamer
My lady lost much more than money
As I chased islands in the stream
Lucille, you shouldn't have bet on me
My lady lost much more than money
Through the years, I've folded every plan
Lucille, you shouldn't have bet on me
I'm the gambler with the empty hand.
3/21/20
Kenny Rogers songs:
The Gambler
She Believes in Me
Through the Years
Twenty Years Ago
Don't Fall in Love with a Dreamer
Islands in the Stream
Lady
Lucille
It seems you could never stay out of a casino.
As soon as you got paid, that is where you would go.
Your life became dependent on the roll of the dice.
Each crap table visited was as cold as ice.
Your financial ability was shrouded with doubt.
The money evaporated with each seven out.
With meeting your obligations, you didn't give a damn.
You got yourself in quite a financial jam.
Bill collections, repossessions, and foreclosures clouded your life.
Gambling was cutting you up like a knife.
Each day was an experience with monetary strife.
Those episodes are what decent people dread.
You must not be feeling pain now that you're dead.
All you have left are unpaid debts and liabilities.
I am forced to scatter you cremated ashes to the breeze.