Rules of the Game

Bea Ericson


Place the deck on the table and shuffle--let
It flare like a peacock's tail. Deal boldly, but
Never too boldly--deuced bad form for cards
On the table to bounce through the air to the floor.
Call your bid firmly; bluff your opponents;
Hold your cards close to your chest.
Let your partner bid once, but never
Ever again: don't cry when the reckoning comes.

Bea Ericson