Rules of the Game

She met him in a pool hall before she knew the game.

He said the rules were no big deal and then he asked her name.

She pranced around and smiled bright in a mixed up sexy, social whirl.

He’d never have known by the gleam in her eye that he’d found such a tender hearted girl.

She wanted someone who would brighten up her nights.

She needed so a gentle man who would still care in the light.

She smiled and laughed at what he said.  He saw good times, no long plans.

He’d never have known that what she saw in him was a tender hearted, caring man.

Now she studies very hard, and you can bet she knows the rules.

She prowls around at midnight because daydreams are for fools.

The wounds, they sometimes never heal.  The scars are very real...

When the rules of the game are no big deal.

He asked her if she’d like to dance and at her nod he took her hand.

He held her close and swayed with her to the rhythm of the band.

The others on the dance floor smiled at the way they were steppin, spinnin round.

They’d never have known by the gleam in her eye what a tender hearted girl he’d found.

On the way to his house she told him how very much she liked Van Gogh

And later on his couch they talked and they listened to the radio.

The morning sun intruded on the world they’d made for two

And when he said goodbye, she swore to hide the tender heart he’d rendered blue.

Now she studies very hard, and you can bet she knows the rules.

She prowls around at midnight because daydreams are for fools.

The wounds, they sometimes never heal.  The scars are very real...

When the rules of the game are no big deal.

Kathy Adams