Upon Discovering A Losing Raffle Ticket Poem by Susan Lacovara

I didn't win
No one called in a congratulatory roar
Announcing I could claim my prize
Start spending without reason
Share the wealth of my windfall
Crawl out of this hole dug too deep

Number 503379 died a dismal death
Unnoticed, lying buried in a drawer
It's fading breath saying 'I'm sorry...
You are still who you always are...'
Like an insult to injury...
(Pun, truthfully intended)
I am mocked by the ticket, intact
With it's picture piles of cash and coins
Staring up stunningly saying
'Try again'....
And again and again

I am not a gambling sort
As luck would have it...
Reminded that life is always
A 50/50 chance, to be taken
Will it rain....50/50 odds
Will the operation be a success...
Odds are in your favor
Will this relationship last...
Only if you agree to meet halfway...
A 50/50 compromise
Does life look better past 50
Should I cave, and place my bet...

On the back of the stub
Reads a warning....never noticed it til now
Written in all capitalized letters
As if screaming a lecture at me
'ATTENTION: THE PERSON USING THIS TICKET
ASSUMES ALL RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY, LOSS,
THEFT OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. MANAGEMENT WILL
DESIGNATE WHERE HOLDER IS TO BE SEATED OR PARKED
AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REVOKE THE LICENSE
GRANTED BY THIS TICKET'

For the life of me, I can't remember
Where I bought this raffle
What it was it promised
Why I believed it would be
My ticket out...
But after reading the hidden disclaimer
I am almost certain I am okay
Not having secured the win...