she called me a “card”
and I guess I am a joker
who’d love to be an ace
that would never pass as a king
but I don’t like cards
and would rather deliver
a one-fingered handshake
ask about your love life
or tickle your ribs
than beat you at poker
if your name was
Melissa Slattery
I just might call you
Delicious Flattery
or say something odd
about your hair or shoe size
or show you my wrinkles
and point at yours with a wink
think of me as
the hardening thorn
on a fragrant rose
some perfumed sarcasm
to prick your day
or perhaps the clown
pretending to be a decent guy
or that nice fellow
caught up in buffoonery
or maybe I'm just a card
who’s not playing
with a full deck