I built you a castle
with my heart in my hands,
but you turned the spade
and plucked it out by the roots.
You didn’t heed
the old gambler’s advice
to know when to hold ‘em.
You thought you’d win,
but we lost
when you folded
the best hand at the table.
I built you a castle,
it was only a little one,
but still.
© 2026 Jennifer Wagner
two images: pixabay.com


interesting how you've juxtaposed a couple and put them in two different scenarios with the same destructive losing outcome
ReplyDeleteWe had similiar ideas and poems, awesome jusxtapostion and I love the last line, "but still" Well done!
ReplyDeleteI built you a castle,
ReplyDeleteit was only a little one,
but still.
A good close Jennifer. You come with a belief but good fortune did not come this time despite putting up a stand
Hank
I was hoping someone would choose the second image to see where it would land. Nice! Love the ending, emphasizing the significance of the smallest investment.
ReplyDelete~Mish
DeleteVery nicely juxtaposed, Jennifer!
ReplyDeleteHeartbreaking but incredibly writing, draws you in. Love it so much
ReplyDelete