War

We slapped our cards down,
between us,
on the kitchen table.
I hoped my card would trump your card.
But luck was the only factor on my side.

Your winning stack of cards grew taller and taller,
waving your imminent victory in my face.
So I held onto my ace with all my might.

When my cards lessened to two,
I had only my ace to bring me back into the game.
My pile swelled until
I was catching up to you.

And then I realized what was happening,
as I kept receiving the small envelopes,
And you kept receiving the big ones.
Luck was the only factor on our sides.