Christmas Lesson 2008 Poem by Tom J. Mariani

Years ago I opened a special Christmas present.
It was from my uncle, sort of a surprise.
All that was inside was a deck of playing cards.
Maybe he hadn't seen my list or knew my size.

When I thanked him anyway he said,
'Do you knew how to play
Cards for pushups? '
As he smiled in his way.

Cards for pushups?
It can get pretty hard.
You shuffle, turn one over.
Do what's in the card.

Ace, do 15. Face card, do 10.
Others by the numbers count.
Takes a lot of work for two
As the discards start to mount.

It's not like poker.
No bluff to call.
When it's your turn,
You have to do them all.

Who wins doesn't matter,
As I now explain to my grandson,
'The object is just don't quit
Until the deck is done.'