The guy sitting South
Was like many I've known.
He bid and played
In a world all his own.
"Two Diamonds," he countered
With scarcely a care.
The Ace in his hand
Gave him courage to spare.
My wife, smiling faintly
And tossing her head,
Leaned over the table,
"Double," she said.
And North for some reason
I cannot determine
Bid two Hearts,
like preaching a sermon.
I grinned as I doubled
Enjoying the fun,
And turned round to South
To see where he would run.
But South, undistressed
Not at loss for a word
came forth with "two Spades" --
Did I hear what I heard?
The other two passed
And in sheer disbelief
I said "Double, my friend,
That'll bring you to grief."
South passed with a nod
His composure serene.
My wife with a flourish
Led out the Heart Queen.
I sat there and chuckled
Inside o'er their fix.
But South very calmly
Ran off his eight tricks.
He ruffed the first Heart
In his hand right away.
And then trumped a Club
On the very next play.
He crossruffed the hand
At a breathtaking pace,
'Til I was left holding
Five Spades to the Ace.
In anguish my wife cried
"Your mind's growing old.
You should see that Six No Trump
for us is ice-cold!"
By doubling this time
I'd committed a sin.
It just goes to prove
That you never can win.
