by Nick Gisburne
She wagers with her life to make the bet
The worst and weakest hand she ever played
Her tell, a single, shining bead of sweat
Would leave the bluff abandoned and betrayed
He finds her fearless arrogance absurd
Offended that she gambles with the gods
She slides her stake with swagger, undeterred
Believing she will win, against the odds
The final card, the river, makes it clear
They both swim deeper than they care to be
His vanity, too proud to persevere
With fury folds, a fate he failed to see
The loss protects his place in paradise
She wins, because she dared to pay the price
