The Card Players

Because I am an overachiever, I decided to extend my Ekphrastic poems into the month of May. I have never attempted to translate the emotion from paintings, drawings, sculptures, or other visual works of art into words. The challenge will require me to dig deep to tap into the passions such works of art create inside a person. Most of what I write will be speculative. There will be times when I will place myself into the mind of the artist. Still other times, I will express the emotions I experience gazing at the work of art. If I get creative, I might even tell the story from an element within the artwork. This Ekphrastic poem is based on a painting by Paul Cezanne entitled The Card Players.

 The Card Players

There is nothing better

Than a sunny afternoon,

A deck of cards,

And a bottle of wine.

Here at a table,

In the local café,

Away from prying eyes,

I will play the cards so fine.

A little slight of hand,

Mixed with a pinch of good luck,

And a player gone half blind,

I can for an afternoon unwind.

At the days end,

I’ll journey home,

With my winnings,

Tucked in my pocket,

So my woman won’t nag or mind

The day I spent playing cards.

Who is Molly Shea?

Molly Shea is an accomplished fictional short story writer from Indiana who writes short stories and novels about a fictional town called Tecumseh.  To read more of her short stories and adventures, click here.

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