Patience
A line of cards is dealt, face up;
The rest are placed face down in stack.
Cards flipped over, gentle rhythm:
Black on red and red on black...
Bunk behind him; oddly quiet;
Newkirk does not turn, he knows
Carter's there in troubled silence.
Cards are checked and matched in rows;
Red eight, black seven, steady moves;
A simple, but absorbing game...
He speaks to Carter, while he plays;
"Don't fret about your lousy aim."
A creak, a thud, a stunned response.
Hand raised; "I haven't finished yet.
There's no disgrace in targets missed;
There's something you must not forget.
Andrew, I've had years of practice;"
Five of clubs fits next to heart...
"My expertise is undisputed;
But, honestly you played your part."
A snort, his friend is not convinced;
He's failed his heritage, his friends;
And nothing can be said or done
By Newkirk, which will make amends.
Next card, a five; no use, discarded...
"Think about the skills required;
The craftsmanship, success depends on
Long before a shot is fired.
I watched you work, your steady patience;
Every detail carved just so.
I only hit that truck, because
You made the arrow, made the bow."
The ace of spades, a pile is started...
"Marksmen need the very best;
The truest and the finest lines;
No faults, no flaws; yours passed the test."
The cards are gathered up and shuffled...
Newkirk beckons Carter, "Gin?"
He senses, as he deals two hands,
His friend's delighted, grateful grin.
~0~
A/N: a scene added to the end of "Drums along the Dusseldorf". A bit of an experiment.