Poker Night

Somewhere in the darkness, in the thick of the trees,

Crowded around a tree stump are the thickest of thieves.

The raccoon watches nervously, betting on a hunch,

Absentmindedly giving his cards a quick munch.

The opossum was calm, save a flick of its tail,

And the coyote bragged that it knew without fail.

The opossum had a great hand, that was a fact.

If it was stressed out, it’d be flat on its back.

The opossum, annoyed at this one little tell,

Flicked its eyes back and forth from these friends it knew well.

“If you’re so confident, coyote, go ahead and fold.”

The canine bristled and barked and then did as was told.

“I’m out too,” said the rat, yawing and sitting up.

“Besides, I can barely see over this stump.”

That left the fox with his sly little grin.

He nudged in an acorn and said, “Let the fun begin.”

A crow, hearing this, had to come watch the game.

“These gambling things always end just the same.

I don’t know why you do this, wasting your night

On such a silly activity. What gives you the right?

You all should be out hunting or gathering, at least.

Will this silly game get you a scavenger feast?

Why enjoy blooming flowers when you know they have thorns?

Who cares if you win a dozen acorns?”

The animals looked up, they’d never heard the case

That this fun they were having could be such a waste.

Sure, the nights are short as they play with their food

But what else are they in the forest to do?

Then the raccoon stood tall, preparing to speak.

The crow would soon learn what this bandit did think.

“We play together because life is hard!

Though I’m ashamed to admit… I’ve eaten my cards.”