RESOLUTION

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It was always easier when the burnt sun dried the perspiration on your neck

The old boy shuffled the cards of the deck, fingered, worn, creased, greased, flecked

It seemed with traces of blood but it was just the pattern on the back, those red specks

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He wore grey, seemed like flannel slacks, they must have cost a pretty penny

When they was new, probably had a jacket to match, the old boys name was Lenny

It reminded me of a Steinbeck tale about a smart guy and a retard, I read it back in 70

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If I kick anymore stones Mr Jones my shoes will gape and I won’t be able to work at all

Or pay back the old man who collects his winnings in an old can he leaves by the wall

I got tired of being behind, that bottle of glass empty, my winning hand buried, I call 

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The old man he just smiles conceited, he sees I’m struggling in the game, life’s a drain

He’s seen that gnawing pain behind the eyes before, that’s his cue to increase the strain

When the ice flow cracks, your enemy attacks and you turn again to the barley grain

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Which burns fiercely in your soul, it burns a hole right through, creating an intense light

To see you through another night, and the old guy sits shuffling his cards, sat on a crate

Shoes never looked so down, consorting with the dusty ground, you want to clear the slate

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But sleep denied is a victim you meet in the morning, old fella he’s taken now to yawning

If he gave you a sign or a warning, old bugger’s been dealing cards since day’s dawning

So drink up, hand another dollar over that’s another fond thought later you’ll be pawning

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O misery, I drink to thee, you wear my smile upon your heavy, hard and wrinkled skin

That old geezer with his stack has contrived to convince us all that what we do, it isn’t sin

And the cards now coming good, I got 3 jacks and an ace, perhaps today is the day I win!

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edenbraytoday

Ref.22102020