The Scratch Card

by Bibby Dickie
(Inverness)

Discarded. Rubbish.
Ye held such hope.
A pound. A new life. A wider scope.

The coin it scratches sure but slow
Heartbeat (two matched) does faster go.
A third match means a brand new life.
No more worries toil or strife.
And bargainin inside yer head
One half ye'll gie away instead
o keepin it all tae spend yersel.
If only God could cast a spell....

But hope is lost.
The dreams are dashed.
And another week til yer giro's cashed.