Dummy Bridge
By C. J. Dennis
If I'd 'a' played me Jack on that there Ten,"
Sez Peter Begg, "I might 'a' made the lot."
"'Ow could yeh?" barks ole Poole. "'Ow' could yeh, when
I 'ad me Queen be'ind?" Sez Begg, "Wot rot!
I slung away me King to take that trick.
Which one! Say, ain't yer 'ead a trifle thick?
Now, don't yeh see that when I plays me King
I give yer Queen a chance, an' lost the slam."
But Poole, 'e sez 'e don't see no sich thing,
So Begg gits 'ot, an' starts to loose a "Damn."
'E twigs the missus jist in time to check,
An' makes it "Dash," an' gits red down 'is neck.
There's me an' Peter Begg, an' ole man Poole —
Neighbours uv mine, that farm a bit close by —
Jist once a week or so we makes a school,
An' gives this game uv Dummy Bridge a fly.
Doreen, she 'as 'er sewin' be the fire,
The kid's in bed; an' 'ere's me 'eart's desire.
'Ome-comfort, peace, the picter uv me wife
'Appy at work, me neighbours gathered round
All friendly-like — wot more is there in life?
I've searched a bit, but, better I ain't found.
Doreen, she seems content, but in 'er eye
I've seen reel pity when the talk gits 'igh.
This ev'nin' we 'ad started off reel 'ot:
Two little slams, an' Poole, without a score,
Still lookin' sore about the cards 'e'd got —
When, sudden-like, a knock comes to the door.
"A visitor," growls Begg, "to crool our game."
An' looks at me, as though I was to blame.
Jist as Doreen goes out, I seen 'er grin.
"Deal 'em up quick!" I whispers. "Grab yer 'and,
An' look reel occupied when they comes in.
Per'aps they'll 'ave the sense to understand.
If it's a man, maybe 'e'll make a four;
But if" — Then Missus Flood comes in the door.
'Twas ole Mar Flood, 'er face wrapped in a smile.
"Now, boys," she sez, "don't let me spoil yer game.
I'll jist chat with Doreen a little while;
But if yeh stop I'll be ashamed I came."
An' then she waves a letter in 'er 'and.
Sez she, "Our Jim's a soldier! Ain't it grand?"
"Good boy," sez Poole. "Let's see.I make it 'earts."
"Doubled!" shouts Begg.... "An' 'e's been in a fight,"
Sez Missus Flood, "out in them furrin' parts.
French, I suppose. I can't pronounce it right.
'E's been once wounded, somewhere in the leg...."
"'Ere, Bill! Yeh gone to sleep?" asks Peter Begg.
I plays me Queen uv Spades; an' plays 'er bad.
Begg snorts.... "My boy," sighs Missus Flood. "My Jim."...
"King 'ere," laughs Poole. "That's the last Spade I 'ad."...
Doreen she smiles: "I'm glad yeh've 'eard from 'im."...
"We're done," groans Begg. "Why did yeh nurse yer Ace?"...
"My Jim!" An' there was sunlight in 'er face.
"I always thought a lot uv Jim, I did,"
Sez Begg. "'E does yeh credit. 'Ere, your deal."
"That's so," sez Poole. "'E was an all-right kid.
No trumps? I'm sorry that's the way yeh feel.
'Twill take yeh all yer time to make the book." . . .
An' then Doreen sends me a wireless look.
I gets the S.O.S.; but Begg is keen.
"My deal," 'e yaps. "Wot rotten cards I get."
Ole Missus Flood sits closer to Doreen.
"The best," she whispers, "I ain't told yeh yet."
I strains me ears, an' leads me King uv Trumps.
"Ace 'ere!" grins Begg. Poole throws 'is Queen — an' thumps.
"That saves me Jack!" 'owls Begg. "Tough luck, ole sport."...
Sez Missus Flood, "Jim's won a medal too
For doin' somethin' brave at Bullycourt."...
"Play on, play on," growls Begg. "It's up to you."
Then I reneges, an' trumps me partner's Ace,
An' Poole gets sudden murder in 'is face.
"I'm sick uv this 'ere game," 'e grunts. "It's tame."
"Righto," I chips. "Suppose we toss it in?"
Begg don't say nothin'; so we sling the game.
On my wife's face I twigs a tiny grin.
"Finished?" sez she, su'prised. 'Well, p'r'aps it's right.
It looks to me like 'earts was trumps to-night."
An' so they was. An', say, the game was grand.
Two hours we sat while that ole mother told
About 'er Jim, 'is letter in 'er 'and,
An', on 'er face, a glowin' look that rolled
The miles all up that lie 'twixt France an' 'ere,
An' found 'er son, an' brought 'im very near.
A game uv Bridge it was, with 'earts for trumps.
We was the dummies, sittin' silent there.
I knoo the men, like me, was feelin' chumps:
Foolin' with cards while this was in the air.
It took Doreen to shove us in our place;
An' mother 'eld the lot, right from the Ace.
She told us 'ow 'e said 'e'd writ before,
An' 'ow the letters must lave gone astray;
An' 'ow the stern ole father still was sore,
But looked like 'e'd be soft'nin', day by day;
'Ow pride in Jim peeps out be'ind 'is frown,
An' 'ow the ole fool 'opes to 'ide it down.
"I knoo," she sez. "I never doubted Jim.
But wot could any mother say or do
When pryin' folks asked wot become uv 'im,
But drop 'er eyes an' say she never knoo.
Now I can lift me 'ead to that sly glance,
An' say, 'Jim's fightin', with the rest, in France.'"
An' when she's gone, us four we don't require
No gossipin' to keep us in imploy.
Ole Poole sits starin' 'ard into the fire.
I guessed that 'e was thinkin' uv 'is boy,
'Oo's been right in it from the very start;
An' Poole was thinkin' uv a father's part.
An' then 'e speaks: "This war 'as turned us 'ard.
Suppose, four year ago, yeh said to me
That I'd sit 'eedless, starin' at a card
While that ole mother told — Good Lord!" sez 'e
"It takes the women for to put us wise
To playin' games in war-time," an' 'e sighs.
An' 'ere Doren sets out ot put 'im right.
"There's games an' games," she sez."When women starts
A hand at Bridge like she 'as played to-night
It's Nature teachin' 'em to make it 'earts.
The other suits are yours," she sez; "but then,
That's as it should be, seein' you are men."
"Maybe," sez Poole; an' both gits up to go.
I stands beside the door when they are gone,
Watchin' their lantern swingin' to an' fro,
An' 'ears Begg's voice as they goes trudgin' on:
"If you 'ad led that Queen we might 'ave made. . . ."
"Rubbidge!" shouts Poole."You mucked it with yer Spade!"
Poem Analysis:
C. J. Dennis’s poem Dummy Bridge is a rich and evocative exploration of Australian life, camaraderie, and the impact of war on ordinary people. Set against the backdrop of a casual card game, the poem subtly shifts from lighthearted banter to deep emotional resonance, reflecting on the sacrifices made by soldiers and the families left behind. Through its colloquial language, vivid character portrayals, and underlying themes of patriotism and human connection, Dummy Bridge serves as both a slice-of-life depiction and a poignant war commentary.
Themes
- Ordinary Life vs. War’s Impact: The poem begins with a lighthearted, almost comedic portrayal of a card game among neighbors. The men are engrossed in the game, bickering over plays, and showing the casual competitiveness of friends. However, this mundane activity is abruptly interrupted by the arrival of Mrs. Flood, who brings news of her son, Jim, serving in the war. This shift underscores the contrast between domestic life and the reality of war, demonstrating how distant yet ever-present the war remains in the minds of those at home.
- Patriotism and Sacrifice: Through the character of Mrs. Flood, Dennis highlights the deep sense of pride and sacrifice that comes with sending a loved one to war. Her joy at receiving a letter from Jim and learning about his bravery is palpable. The phrase “Our Jim’s a soldier! Ain’t it grand?” encapsulates the mixture of fear, pride, and resilience often experienced by wartime families. The metaphorical game of bridge, with ‘hearts for trumps,’ reinforces the idea that love and loyalty are the strongest suits in times of hardship.
- Masculinity and Emotional Expression: The poem also subtly critiques the traditional expectations of masculinity. The men are initially dismissive of emotional matters, preferring to focus on their game. However, as Mrs. Flood shares her news, their attitudes shift. Old Poole, in particular, undergoes an internal transformation, reflecting on his own son’s role in the war. The final exchange between him and Doreen reveals an acknowledgment of the emotional burden carried by women and the importance of recognizing different forms of strength.
Style and Structure
- Colloquial Language and Authenticity: Dennis’s use of Australian vernacular lends authenticity to the dialogue and characters. The informal speech patterns (“Wot rot!” and “That saves me Jack!”) immerse the reader in the setting and enhance the relatability of the scene. This technique grounds the poem in realism, making its emotional transitions even more impactful.
- Narrative Flow and Pacing: The poem begins at a lively pace, mimicking the rapid exchanges of a card game. As Mrs. Flood enters, the rhythm slows, allowing space for reflection. This shift in pacing mirrors the emotional journey of the characters—from distraction to deep contemplation—effectively guiding the reader through the poem’s layers of meaning.
- Symbolism of the Card Game: The bridge game serves as both a literal pastime and a metaphor for life’s unpredictability. The suits and plays symbolize different values: while the men focus on strategy and winning, Mrs. Flood unknowingly ‘trumps’ them with her heartfelt story. The phrase “It looks to me like ‘earts was trumps to-night” beautifully encapsulates this idea, signifying that emotional connections and personal sacrifices hold greater weight than mere competition.
Dummy Bridge by C. J. Dennis masterfully intertwines humor, everyday life, and deep emotional truths. Through its engaging narrative and relatable characters, the poem captures the duality of ordinary existence and the extraordinary burdens imposed by war. The contrast between the triviality of a card game and the profound significance of Mrs. Flood’s news highlights the human tendency to seek normalcy amidst turmoil. Ultimately, Dennis reminds us that in the ‘game’ of life, it is love, sacrifice, and resilience that truly matter.