His card was the King of Hearts,
Shot through the heart
As planned.

Everything was going smoothly,
I was drunk --
Drunk enough.

But then a shadow caught my eye.

I began the foolery,
My timing perfect --
But then he caught my eye,
And it almost cost me an eye.

I was showing off for him,
I must admit --
Sheer bravado.

A shadow had caught my eye,
But I had gotten the money...
And his attention.

Too close to a lynching,
I held the room at bay
Just so he could call my bluff --
Oh so quietly.

A shadow had caught my eye...
And his offer was not the only thing I slept on.