Unlucky Jack

A Poem by Ethan Talby

The tale of a struggling single father and the price of crime.

There once was a man named Jack.
Got good grades, his life was on track.
Then one day he met a guy named Zach
who gave him a proposal he couldn't turn back.
A chance to make it big and make some cash,
though he'd have to risk failing in class.
This really wasn't a time consuming task,
just something involving a bag and a mask.
No chance of getting caught and cuffed.
According to intel, security isn't enough
to give them trouble and a tough
time when they hold that damn place up.
Diamonds, rubys, the possibilities were endless,
but Jack wasn't thinking of college acceptance.
With this doh a degree would just be useless.
Instead he was thinking of his little princess.
1 year, 6 months, had her mother's eyes.
Mom left them alone to try out other guys.
So Jack needed to stop his angel's cries
even if it meant doing something that wasn't right.
The day came up and Jack was very focused.
Was certain the guard wouldn't notice
the fact that his cannon was bogus
by the way he would hold it.
Suddenly, while the gang was looting the vault
the coppers showed and told them to halt
or else this would be their final Waltz .
Jack knew not to blame, this was his own damn fault
for trying to get nuts like a squirrel
in this cruel world.
All he ever wanted was for his girl
to get everything from books to pearls.
So he went outside with his toy gun
and exclaimed to the cops that he was done.
But the fuzz thought he was poking fun
and was going to make a run.
So they held up their aim and filled him full of lead.
Jack laid down wondering if they heard what he said
and guessed this is what he gets for trying to skip ahead.
13:13 Jack was pronounced dead.