Shuffle

Text:

© Grathy
Shuffle
vocals and lyrics by Mary McGrath
Copyright 2/13/20
All rights reserved

My memories flutter before me like a thick deck of cards. Many hands have been dealt. It’s been quite a game.

I pull out a deuce, and remember my childhood. I am alive and curious. My pupils are larger than saucers. I climb. I fall. I learn.

I then pull out a four, and I am taken back to grammar school. The card is slightly torn, a bit soiled from several bumps and bruises. My parents divorced. We were poor. There is a little blood on the corner of the card but it has dried. Soon it will fall off.

Before me a six appears with its hormonal yearnings. I didn’t want to wear nylons, but I did. Ripe feelings were easily hurt. My heart was broken, an unwanted slash as my virginity was spoiled. Still I go on, dealing, dealing.

I pull out a nine, remembering the workforce. The Starbucks stress was always there, and I remember feeling like a train was always barreling down the tracks, trying to run me over. Somehow I survived to deal with all the promotions and demotions.

Here comes a jack, its sideways face sneering at a forced retirement. I was sloughed off like snake skin for being too old and too expensive, my dead scales left lying in the road.

I deal myself a king, knowing I am nearing the end of my hand. The ace is coming, but when?

How about a wild card so I can continue, so I can stay in the game…