A Poker Life

Art imitates life or is it life imitates art? Whatever the case, the way we live can be surmised in the following manner: When a peculiar situation presents itself to us, we can attempt react as if were in a game of poker.

1. We can fold: The chips are way stacked against us and we have a bad hand to begin with. Though it irks us heavily and we want to play, we know that any attempt by us will result in failure. Though I hate to give up, sometimes I must give in to the game that is played. There is no definite way out of the situation so it is better to leave the heavy hitting to the other players.

2. We can bluff: Even if we have crappy hands, we could swindle our way through the game and steal the table. That would require that the other players be not as confident or they have crappy hands as well. Since obviously we cannot determine what they have, this is a risky move. If you are caught bluffing, you will have people stacking the chips against you more then not. I find that I would rather not be in this situation because honestly, I cannot lie my ass off even if I wanted to save my own skin.

3. We can fast play our cards: Though this probably guarantees a win if by probability you have a confident hand, you might scare off other players from betting and therefore, there is no baiting leading to no earning real money. I call this the crash and burn scenario when I fall into a situation too fast and end up looking outside the walls of the dumpster; its like falling off the deep end blindfolded.

4. We can slow play the cards: This is the ideal situation for a poker player because you can earn more money and break the bank by baiting others into thinking you are betting the farm when in reality, the reverse is true. Ideally this is the situation I would like to be in where I am skeptical and objective enough to gather enough intel and make an informed decision. If I can reasonably make a educated guess on whether to fold or play, I will either leave the situation relatively unscathed or win big. Either way, its a win because I don't lose my sanity or I gain something good.

In the game of life, all these moves happen. The only thing that one must worry is if you can handle the consequences the result from the move you make.

Tough Decisions

In situations
where tough decisions
reaches a point of fissions
leads us on the edge of divisions

A resolution of order is in need
to relieve anxiety that we feed
the undernourishment makes us bleed
who is there for us, to lead

The consequences are on balance
the decisions make no difference
either way there is no chance
for a win for us, no joy to dance

I guess this is what life is about
growing up learning not to pout
why people look toward mature clout
to follow what these people tout

They make the tough decisions
on issues of great divisions
internally, externally and every schism
and stay above the rim without fission

They weigh the consequences
not staying on the fences
knowing that lances
dart their way, these consequences

To live and learn
builds a foundation that is firm
on concrete ground so stern
a trade-off we do not scorn

Yet the answer has been made
a decision is not for trade
the path has been laid
we must lead forward unfazed

If the path is illegitimate
at least we know and learn from it
rather than be in limbo inconsiderate
and retrace those steps back into the right fit

In our difficult situations
we have made a decision
a sacrifice is in our vision
though there may be no elation

However is it better then being stuck
and definitely out of luck
in no-man's land never leaving the muck
and complaining it forever being in a ruck

To make a tough decision
requires maturity and vision
to stand tall in the confusion
and to grow forward in life's mission.

Drama

No more drama in my life
Exclaims Mary J and expertly sung
We want it end to the strife
Feeling that we are like on the noose, hung

Nothing compares however
To the drama others feel
How they struggle to be better
Getting the worse deal

When we look in that plain view
The perspective shines clear
The pain that we knew
Pales a million-fold to another's fear

We must not squabble and scribble
Our own nuisances on the wall
While others live painstakingly but able
Any help by us could stop the fall

We should be fortunable
Others wish they were us
Yet we live ungrateful
Taking for granted what is given us

We live a drama
Is not at all as such
Other's drama
We don't help as much

A change and break is in order
The drama that is
Ungrateful we shall no more
We shall help at the very least.

Dedicated to the various people that I know who are suffering profusely, going through much more pain then anyone could fathom. They deserve a light of peace, a break from the pain. A prayer for you I shall offer for your sake and sanity. All things shall pass and the light at then end of the tunnel is just a bit a ways. My hand I have lend and that hand shall not be rescinded.