Photo by Peter Bucks on Unsplash

The Ticket Out

Poem by Christina Hausauer

I kept the raffle ticket in my drawer.

I’d win your love, and so much more.

You gave it to me, with a kiss for luck.

I was in a rough place, I was feeling stuck.

The raffle winnings could set me free

I’d be able to leave, and finally be me.

I memorized the 8 numbers on it,

I hope and dreamed they would be picked.

I never knew you had a ticket for yourself.

You kept it high up on a hidden shelf.

I was a fool. I had faith in your word.

To think otherwise, would be absurd.

The big day came, the numbers were called.

My ticket didn’t win, I sat down and bawled.

I had put so much prayer in hopes to win.

The plans I was making, could not begin.

I tried to reach you, for your sympathy,

You ignored my calls, and ghosted me.

I heard from a friend that you hopped a plane,

Never to return again.

I lost the raffle, I lost you, as well.

I am stuck here in my life of hell.

If my number was called, or they called my name,

I’d never have treated you the same.

My friend said you won some major money,

I knew we didn’t win, I found it funny.

You won and chose to leave me behind,

With your ticket receipt -your empty house, to find.

You gave me a chance, it could have been mine.

The newspaper headline was a sign.

Raffle Winner’s Plane Crashes Over Red Sea

It looks like Karma has set you free.

Lessons learned in trusting someone,

You never know when your number is done.

My life can change, I will manage somehow,

But for you, my friend, it’s over now.

The Weekly Knob- Prompt Number 136