They Answer To No One. Poem by Tony Cooney

One last chance as I recall.

A back pinned against a wall.

A tongue too tied to say a word.
They answer to no one.



"Don't you wait to come around, 
but no hard shoulder breakdown.
Not even a smile to cross the deal? 

They answer to no one.



You must know you read the palms.

Of every cheat you try to charm.

Of every soul with money gone.
Now whose going to pay for another one? 



The room is full of many men.
Some who fold, some who bend.
Some who deal in where and when.

Some who can't remember when.



Living in their private hell.

They don't photograph so well.

But they don't point and they don't tell.

They answer to no one.



No regrets or safety call.

They reach out and grab it all.

They move too quick to complicate.

They answer to no one.



Twist the arm and pull the hair.
They take what no others dare.

So come and give it all you've got.
They answer to no one.