The Dealer

The Dealer

excuse the boy in the street

with no manners,

he is homeless, parentless

an exceptional mind

never lassoed in

to real school type lessons

an artful dodger

of the draft

of drafts as he finds

crevasses for his sleep

his dirty fingers touch his dirty face

but his dirty eyes

never apologize

he knows his place

or places

many places

block to block

avenue to the pew

in a church for sanctuary

he steals a drink of holy water

to avoid going dry

keeps his wry

sense of humor

plays cards with his mates

not a complete deck

but some have pictures on them

he counts

an exceptional mind

never lassoed in

but such potential

not a handout

but the possibility

to shine up his shoes

bear a suit and tie

have a real lunch

sit in a booth like a gentleman

and pick anything from the menu

whatever the price

then go back to his office

and contemplate the good life

yes, such potential

he knows his place,

he deals the cards.

erin-cilberto

3/13/22

Reviews

[duff]

There is a real ruggedness and grimy feel. I really like this.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, duff,
j.

[knighngale]

oh wow, that's a good one. I ran away for a while, and I feel it at heart. Misunderstood. I'm home again. :D

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your review,
j.

[knighngale]

most welcome dear

[---]

A bit surprised nobody here caught it, but I'm fairly certain I'm right:

https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/240847-i-don-t-wanna-take-my-time-going-to-work-i

Kind of twisted, but the last line is a pretty clear allusion. Nice one J., clever - the character ought to remain sympathetic right up until the reader figures out who it is. Hoof.

-Ook

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I checked that quote...no allusion to him...
but I could see where you might pick that up.read moreI checked that quote...no allusion to him...
but I could see where you might pick that up.
thanks for the read and review,
j.

[---]

Hah! I thought for sure that was it - oh well, win some lose some.

-Ook

[Fabian G. Franklin]

The hustlers have to eat too. A professor I was particularly fond of always said, "There, but for chance and circumstance, go I." He was a PhD of psychology and the world never met a finer human being. My brother was a psychologist too and a great one. My brother retired as Chief Staff Psychologist at Central Prison in Raleigh. He used to tell me, "You know, I AM a psychologist I CAN help you!" He thought he was funny so I asked if he knew how many psychologists it took to change a lightbulb. He said, "No Fabian , how many?" So I told him, Only one. But first, the lightbulb has to truly WANT to change. (laughing) He loved that. I miss him. But I digress. Yes, I believe there are good many geniuses wandering around in the streets; outcasts from society, some not playing with a full deck, some needing the pictures to play their cards. I enjoyed this write. It was a write up my alley. Well done maestro.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, about the light bulb....Heard that one and loved it...thank you for your kind review,
j.

[Patricia]

Which is the good life? It’s all in the mind, not in the pocket

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, that is where it is...
thank you, Patricia...
j.

[Sami Khalil]

An excellent poem, story. I feel an autobiographical segment of the life of a great poet with many skills and life experiences. I think he made it on his own without any help. He learned his mistakes when life dealt him a bad hand.
Some mystery in it which I like.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review, Sami,
j.

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome sir Jacob.

[Sami Khalil]

"he knows his place
or places
many places
block to block
avenue to the pew
in a church for sanctuary
he steals a drink of holy water
to avoid going dry
keeps his wry
sense of humor"

[JE Falcon]

Not sure this applies here, but it came to mind when I read this. --- “Want in one hand and wish in the other, what do you have?” --- Nothing!
But my Oklahoma Grandmother said, “Want in one hand and wish in the other, what do you have?” “Determination and hope.” --- She never went to school, worked from childhood, right from the beginning, so maybe that is why she saw things differently. --- God only knows.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I appreciate the thoughts you shared here...thank you, JE,
j.

[M. J. Smith]

He is seen as not living up to all that he could be. But perhaps he knows himself better. Knows he doesn't fit the mold society would try to put him in. It is good to know oneself and one's place.
And if he is a draft dodger, the question is why? Ours is not to do as many will do on meeting thisan. Ours is not to judge. For it may be that one day we may be the one across the table playing cards with him.
Such are the thoughts of The Drifter.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind review, M.J.
j.

[Patricia Wedel]

We pass through Life with the Cards we are dealt... some times we are missing a Card in our Deck. In your Poem, Jacob, the young "boy/man" ... has great Potential. My solution would be as follows:
Where does all the Money go today to help the young Immigrants find their Way. If I were in charge in our Treasury, I would take Government Land and pay Professionals how to Teach Immigrans how to build their own GroupLodgings with Large Kitchens and Bath Houses to get through the Winter... and then the following Spring and Summer Teachers of Agriculture would teach people to be Farmers with John Deere Tractors and plenty of Seed... (It seems the Millions and Billions of dollars would go further and Create permanent Shelters to become Cities with their own Markets and perhaps School for the Children could be Built. Where did I get my Imaginary Degree ? ... not from Harvard or Yale -- but from Common Sense... Your Poem tugs at my Heart. tenderly, Pat

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Oh, Pat...I love your ideas here...why not?
it makes so much sense.
thank you for this,
j.