The Gambler

Short and stocky and christened Pat
I used to watch him
In the gambling shop
When he'd done his bollocks
Gritting his teeth
Looking bemused
At the result on the screen
Hoping that somehow it'd magically change.

Short and stocky and christened Pat
I used to watch him
Leaving the gambling shop
All lobster red
On drunken legs
Three hundred years
Of British loss
Damning the Arabs and the Turks

Short and stocky and christened Pat
I used to watch him
Returning home
Still fired up
From another plane
With adrenalin
In two clenched fists
To recoup his losses from his wife.