One-Eyed Jack Poem by Jack Kimball

Jack's love spoke quick 'That's it this time.'
and Jack yelled back with, 'I don't mind! '
so his queen of hearts walked out to find
a man who's inside straight.

With his heart in hand no longer flush,
he chose to fold, it hurt so much
to live a life that no love touched -
with death his only fate.

With each day empty more than last,
his silent house of cards would ask
why he lives when love's his past
and turned two aces and two eights.

The king of diamonds joined the game
and said, 'Let's be honest and not claim
Jack failed in spades and did not aim
to turn his love to hate.'

Jack in fact had one eye left
to play one buried ace he'd kept
to pair the queen of hearts - accept
he needed one last date.

With gathered aces now to four
he prayed the queen would trade them for
the heart she had and something more,
the ring to be his mate.

So yes he dealt the queen all in
and both hearts love agreed again
but with one condition to begin,
treat her royal, flushed, and straight.