Ante

Now, once upon a time, there was a card
With tattered edges, marred by fold and crease
And, in a brand-new deck it wasn't hard
To spot, so folks knew not to draw the piece

But Jack came strolling up and eyed the deck
Held out and fanned by one just known as 'Fate'
He saw the battered card. He rubbed his neck
And stood there for a bit to contemplate

No one had ever thought about the 'why'
That made the poor torn card so sad and bruised
It's shabbiness served well to turn their eye
And pick a shiny card less frayed and used

But Jack saw every crease and fold and tear
A journey, an adventure or a tale
They seemed better instead of worse for wear
Those marrings called to him and cinched the sale

He drew the card; its face now matters not
He was the first to love the card he got.