Promptly Poetry Challenge 2022-23

O, cruel fortune! [Week 22 entry]

Music to read by ▼

You don't have to listen to this as you read...but it couldn't hurt. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJC-_j3SnXk

O, cruel fortune!


A dull, muted thudding disrupts all my thoughts -
now slowing, now racing - my heartbeat's in flux.
Entranced by her smile, my stomach in knots -
dare I to dream that her smile's Lady Luck's?
Her eyes reveal nothing, I see only spots
on pasteboard and iv'ry that claim all my bucks.
The pit boss smiles sadly as I check my pants,
convinced I'm addicted to taking a chance.

Fresh from the cashier - my card bought me chips -
I head for the crowds watching blackjack and craps.
With glances toward Heaven and pleas on my lips,
I slowly discover the dice are just traps.
My drink from the hostess gets nursed in small sips -
the last thing I need is a drunken collapse.
With effort I let go my hope for good luck,
before I lose all sense and wager my truck.





Prompt / Form Note ▼

Prompt: Luck
Form Note: An Ottava Rima has 8-lined octives, the first of which has an abababcc rhyme scheme. Each line has 10 or 11 syllables.