Losing

we go to the casino

with

the idea

of only losing what we bring,

no more,

no less.

we're more prepared

to lose than

we are to win.

what if we looked at

everything

in life that way.

today

i'm going to lose

only so much self respect.

so much joy,

so much happiness.

i'm going to lose

only the love i can afford,

my ambition.

my hope. and when it

all runs dry,

i'll go home having 

achieved what i came for.