Art 'Smoke Gets In Your Eyes'
By Ray Mcartney



Gambling On Trust
By La Belle Rouge

taking a gamble on trust
we built up a hand of friendship
by dealing slow and honest
and not even trying to bluff

we uncovered our cards
took a good long
eyes-wide-open look
at wounds and imperfections

those things we usually hide
and cheat about
we flashed it all at each other

you encouraged me....
to toughen up
I inspired you.....
to soften up

we never lied to each other
we never pretended to feel
more than we really felt
we both knew what we needed
we both knew we were capable
of giving that kind of love....
but we couldn’t give it to each other

hearts are wild cards and wayward
not controlled by common sense
or the convenience of the moment

yours belonged to her
mine belonged to ideals of love

I couldn’t bear to be second
you couldn’t put me first

so we built a solid friendship
in lieu of a fragile love affair
that could never withstand
the subtle division of hearts
and memory's howling winds
blowing outside our door

love has many forms
we can only play
the hand we are dealt

you are loved
and I know I am too
if you hurt, I will hurt

be hopeful, find joy
be courageous, be cautious

when you gamble again for
favorable odds with the queen of hearts
unsure if the hand's good enough
be sure the game will be worth the loss

If you hurt, I'll hurt



3/28/2008 La Belle Rouge

“Poetry Soul Whispers”



Music "The Gambler"