Cards

He's out past midnight playing cards
and in their dim sunken den
she takes her pill with two sidecars.
Well she used to yell and throw fits and jelly jars
and every neighbor knew it
when he was out past midnight playing cards
But he played his hand and beat her straight
with a royal flush across her face
But lately evenings haven't been as hard
He eats his steak and leaves her
once she's had her pill with a few sidecars 
Some nights he reeks of bourbon and cigars
Some nights she knows when he pretends
he's been out past midnight playing cards
He plays his hand all over the place
and she's at home under her poker face
They have a narrow repertoire
like frozen tracks for trolley cars
She's slurring to herself tonight
and he's out there, somewhere
playing his cards