First Time Gambler

Her footsteps held a purpose as she hurried to her aim,
Filled with expectations in the hope of a little gain?
The doors of the hall swung open, to the queue of hopeful`s delight.
She obtained her ticket for playing the game of `BINGO` that night.

“Eyes down!“ the caller cried, and the laughter and gossip stopped
As with silent concentration their eyes the ladies `dropped`.
Mrs. A was perspiring, she only needed `eleven`,
While Mrs. B with fingers crossed waited for number `seven`.

She could feel the built-up tension as she gazed across the room,
Full of expectation to hear the shout`HOUSE`very soon.
“Shake them up, shake them up!“ called a voice from the back,
Hoping, just like everyone, that they would win a stack.

Out rang the voice of Mrs.A, unlike the squeak of a mouse.
To all the other hopeful`s dismay, she managed to yell out “HOUSE!“
The magic word broke the silence and grumbling voices filled the air:
Resignation and annoyance, disillusion and dispair...

“I`ve not paid my mortgage!“ “My rent is overdue!“
“I`ve spent nearly all my wages. Whatever shall I do!“
For her, the first time gambler, an experience this had been
And that night she won the jackpot, if only in her dream.