the White House by Bob Atkinson

the White House

(c)2012 Bob Atkinson

so many ways in Paris

to fall in love to stay

walking along the River Seine

on a bright lit summer's day

sitting at a cafe'

on the Blvd St Germain

or attending a great party

given by Florence and Pierre Chenal

driving along the river

this time, the River Marne

for a picnic on a grassy bank

with good bread

fair cheeses and fine wine

Rick felt Ilsa was his woman

she met his every need

no other one could seed the love

she'd grown so much in him

then came the dreaded news

invasion had commenced

the bad men would come to Paris

and take control of them

so, Marseilles would be their escape

that lovely seaport town

upon the train they would ride

together to the south

but Ilsa had much to do

she'd meet him at the station

and they would escape together

their only lover's consolation

Rick told Sam he'd get aboard

when Ilsa arrived upon

that rainy train station platform

where together they'd depart

but Ilsa did not come that night

a note to him she wrote

which told him of her situation

sending her love to him alone

she wasn't able to leave with him

something from her far past life

had ridden in to claim her soul

and change her future path

“.......you know Rick how much my love

is yours and yours alone

but it isn't possible for us to have

that life we both dreamed of......”

the note had told him then

his dreams had all been shattered

he cared not that the train

would move south, soon, without him

Rick wrapped his arm around the pole

her note fell from his hand

his senses all collapsed as he

dropped his black leather bag

the last train started moving

his last chance to escape

he didn't care what happened next

he wished that he were dead

but Sam grabbed him by the arm

and picked up his wet bag

and drug him onto that moving train

was still freedom to be had

Rick and Sam traveled onward

from Marseilles to Africa

they landed in Casablanca

with few Francs in their pockets

struggling to make it big
at first was really hard
Sam sang at his piano
and Richard tended bar

although not a gambler

Ricky's luck gave him a toast

when he won an old Cafe' Concert

in a game of cards 
at the Casino on the Coast

with much hard work and skill

nearly two years it took

to turn the place around
and show profit on the books

he made the most of his luck

the popular night club in town
poured money in his pockets
but his face still held a frown

Yvonne took Rick's attention away

from romance for all that time

with her he knew he'd never

fall for her silly lover's lines

(to be continued)