This Was a Bet

 

 

     ‘This,’ was a bet,

a challenge of conventions but whose?

 

     A power has it that ‘we’ are unable -

where a retort sounds from an Empath

   known on Earth,

      a Man whom for all purpose,

   all purpose was denied.

 

     We are unable they declare

as lighting cigars with a fifty sobs note;-

   their keen eye is waiting for your anger,

      your dismay and fear…………..your, violence!

 

     The glove (a sweaty boxing mitt with no stuffing)

was struck upon the face of a tired people,

   a weary incandescence replacing

a once bright shine the ‘hidden hands’

had always been scared of.

 

     The glove struck while

the protagonist of hate drew deep

from a Cuban without even a look upon you,

   declaring piously that even Geuvara found his place,

      one day!

 

     ‘This,’ was a bet – they later denied

as they found their fifteen minutes of

fame upon a universe with scorn,

   (trembling, the cigar is removed in haste

       from a mouth quivering with final knowing)

 

     “is it your right, to light such cigar

          with a bill of fifty that can feed a hungry family?” -

   asks Pablo Escobar,

       “for in my opinion a champion of people ‘only’

   earns such respite while a lull beckons contemplation

      for the right of life that is now made poor.”

 

     The protagonist wakening knows

he has killed, and has killed to defend his greed,

   the gamble was such that he would not

entertain agnostics even -

   and hoped that feigning ignorance

      would see him through, see him, forgiven!

 

     “are you sure, this, was a bet?

      For I do not see purpose in the gamble upon a child’s life and further,

          ‘life’ is not collateral or currency,

                not a trade up or down,

                      not a take for granted or something to rob,

                            this was not a bet,

                                  only, your pitiful excuse,

                                        now convey in bill, how costly the smoke of blind wealth!”

 

     Nothing ventured nothing gained and then,

 equality, and fairness, the Egalitarian upon you is a place

      a champion such as Jimmy Reeves would

           toast and even then, respect is not something

                 bought or fought for,

                     ‘but the very nature of whom we all, are.’

 

     A contemplative Che can sit with Reeves and sip

a warmth of rum, perhaps a Cuban too;– admired,

          ‘I would join such an evening – even in silence,

                just for the privilege of company of Saints!’

 

 

Michael J Waite 29th July 2023.