Hard Luck Poem by John Salome

Who wakes up every morning,
With the feeling of regret?
Who gets up with a smirk,
But their smile, they forget?
Who never ever gambles,
Because they hate a risky bet?
Yet would trade out their soul,
For the relief they would get?

Who always feels like their falling,
Or just barely hanging on?
Who has had everything they’ve ever wanted,
And in a second it’s all gone?
Who has closed their eyes at sunset,
And opened them at dawn?
Who has tried to fight battles,
With no weapons drawn?

Who has had that horrible taste,
Loitering on their tongue?
Or maybe that awful pain,
Beating at their lung?
Who has sang those songs,
That most people have not sung?
Or at least listened to the words,
When they were very young?
Who, for the first time
In their life, they are stuck?
Went from riches to rags,
Each penny and buck?
Who’s ever been judged,
Thrown under the truck?
.. I guess we all can be pawns,
In this game of Hard Luck.
-JS