She sat, alert, her breath came short,
Her eyes locked on the man
Who sat before her on the stage—
She had no other plan.

So desperate she felt that day,
Her spirits were so blue:
Her rent and, now, her period
Were three months overdue.

She'd taken home her neighbour's cat
When hunger made her steal:
Stir-fried with lots of onions
It had made a tasty meal.

If only she could get some cash
To pay her mounting debts—
She knew the dole would come next week
And she'd eat no more pets.

Alas! The man reached in his box
and, quiet as a mouse,
he looked—then called out, "Sixty-six!"
and a woman cried, "Full house!"

Disconsolate, her hopes now dashed,
her mind full of remorse,
she wondered how her mother's dog
would taste with chilli sauce.