House of Cards

House of cards, piled on a joker,

I want to knock you down

and see the King of Hearts’ crown fall.

Crumble away beneath my feet

I’ve built you for so long

yet now I wish to smash you apart.

Give me a pair, give me a run

all I want is consistency

but instead I’m getting jack.

Where is the rhythm, where is the rhythm

a pattern that guarantees success

defies me, for now I’m bust.

Never will I recognise a good hand,

never will I stick.

I wish I could see my opponents cards

and defeat the game that we, so fruitlessly, play.

Where are my winnings?

I thought I had done well.

Blow, blow, brief house,

life’s but a mountain of obstacles

which, when conquered

crumbles beneath my feet;

an avalanche of diamonds,

an Ace amongst catastrophe.
King. Three.
Nine. Queen.
Eight. Jack.
Ten. Four.

Seven.

Five. Six.

Two.

Where is the one?

Where is the solitary fact I yearn?

Yet again, I’m left with a joker.