I'm a Senior

Every other Tuesday at the Senior Citizen Center in Cary a crowd gathers to partake in a game of chance...

B-I-N-G-O

Recently, I ventured to play Bingo at the local senior center,

It seemed like a good activity for the upcoming winter,

I did not realize how seriously the other participants took the game,

I was a newbie, inexperienced; my Bingo skills were lame,

Arriving early, snacks in hand, to procure their lucky seats,

Veterans of Bingo were prepared, like seasoned athletes,

The tables filled up quickly, the final headcount was a hundred and one,

I was probably the youngest at 58, and could tell it was going to be fun,

I chose to play 5 cards at once, to increase my chances to win,

While the veterans played more cards than that, to my ultimate chagrin,

Steadily each number rang out: I-18, B-10, N-33, 

I was getting the hang of it now, footloose and fancy-free,

But just as I thought I was going to be the winner,

Someone ELSE shouted “Bingo!”:  I was a beginner,

It is a game of luck, but there is skill involved,

You can’t miss a number or your victory is dissolved,

We played variations: postage stamp and picture frame,

Unheard of to me, but the result was the same,

Someone else would yell “Bingo” and we’d clear all our cards,

The winners, though, were gracious, nodding kind regards,

For two hours, the numbers continuously were called out,

It was a serious competition, and the seniors were devout,

I’ve played two events now, and always tasted defeat,

Still I enjoy being a senior, and will claim my "lucky" seat!

Tammy Harvey

Written:  9/13/2018