Bicycle Playing Cards

Around since 1885,

These playing cards contain

A fascinating history

That Google helped obtain.

My favorite fact’s from World War II.

(It’s more than rumored lore.)

Some special decks were sent as gifts

To prisoners of war.

These U.S. soldiers, held in camps

In Germany, did learn

That moistening the cards would yield

A map for their return.

Escape routes cleverly concealed

Within the layered cards

Would likely not be noticed by

The German soldier guards.

In Vietnam, as well, some decks

With only Ace of Spades,

Were sent to the Americans

To use in jungle raids.

The Viet Cong were so afraid

Of how this Ace appeared,

Just seeing one would make them flee

So villages were cleared.

While we are playing Solitaire,

Casino, War or Spit,

We should remember how those cards

Helped troops, if just a whit.