Know when to fold 'em
I've never played poker. In general, outside of go-fish, crazy 8s or war, I haven't a clue about card games. With that in mind, I wouldn't know a good hand if it was nestled in my sweet hands. I'm a terrible liar; therefore, my poker face is nonexistent.
I've been wearing a pretty intense poker face for months. I don't know how I've managed to keep
a straight face, but I had been riding it out like a World Series of Poker Champ. As a result, I've maintained a firm grip (oddly) on living a fantasy, of sorts. I knew the hand I held was nothing more than a hodgepodge of random cards, and one lovely ACE. I could have slipped that up my proverbial sleeve, but I kept it nestled between the useless number cards of various suits.
What I needed wasn't an ACE up my sleeve, but the Queen of Hearts. I took the risk of throwing away one of those cards I deemed valueless; risking it all to find that Queen I so desperately desired. The time was nearing for me to either fold or up the ante. My poker face was weakening and, rather than lose it all by default and deceit, I showed my cards. I lay them down. Face up. There it was. Everything and nothing all at once. I risked it all and let the cards fall where they may. What a relief to finally crack the poker face to reveal my true self.
I don't feel that I walked away from the table with the mother load I had hoped for. I'm holding my head up high knowing that in the end, I did the right thing. I didn't win the prize, but I maintained my dignity. My sense of pride is intact. My heart is broken. I surely didn't want to lose again, but life is all about taking chances; gambles.
You got to know when to hold em, know when to fold em,
Know when to walk away and know when to run.
You never count your money when youre sittin at the table.
There'll be time enough for countin when the dealins done
Know when to walk away and know when to run.
You never count your money when youre sittin at the table.
There'll be time enough for countin when the dealins done
Last night it came to me that a recent event in my life took me down a road of poker metaphors. I think talking about Las Vegas with my Mom put me on this course. At the time this all came to me I was trying to fall asleep.
I've been wearing a pretty intense poker face for months. I don't know how I've managed to keep
a straight face, but I had been riding it out like a World Series of Poker Champ. As a result, I've maintained a firm grip (oddly) on living a fantasy, of sorts. I knew the hand I held was nothing more than a hodgepodge of random cards, and one lovely ACE. I could have slipped that up my proverbial sleeve, but I kept it nestled between the useless number cards of various suits.What I needed wasn't an ACE up my sleeve, but the Queen of Hearts. I took the risk of throwing away one of those cards I deemed valueless; risking it all to find that Queen I so desperately desired. The time was nearing for me to either fold or up the ante. My poker face was weakening and, rather than lose it all by default and deceit, I showed my cards. I lay them down. Face up. There it was. Everything and nothing all at once. I risked it all and let the cards fall where they may. What a relief to finally crack the poker face to reveal my true self.
I don't feel that I walked away from the table with the mother load I had hoped for. I'm holding my head up high knowing that in the end, I did the right thing. I didn't win the prize, but I maintained my dignity. My sense of pride is intact. My heart is broken. I surely didn't want to lose again, but life is all about taking chances; gambles.
Wow, MissRiss! WOW!
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written and you are right on with your last line, life truly is about taking chances. I would go so far as to say one isn't living until they are in the zone of risk, uncertainty, self-doubt and taking chances.
Excellent post!
Me
Dan, I am most humbled by your kind words. Even more, I am delighted that you visited my blog. Danke! -- and I said I couldn't speak German.
ReplyDelete