The Grifter

Posted on March 21, 2023 by purplepeninportland 
Written for:  dVerse Poets Pub - Quadrille #172
(posted by Mish)

"Shift is the word to fit into your quadrille this week. There are many derivatives to dabble with."

shifted, shifting, reshift, intershifting, shifty, shifter, shiftiness

redshift, blueshift, makeshift, gearshift, frameshift, downshift, upshift, dayshift


He was a shifty
grifter, playing
different roles
for different
people.  Preference–
the night shift,
when parties,
drinking, 
and gambling
were at their
height.  Might
have continued
his shiftiness
if not for the pitch
he gave to an
undercover cop,
also playing a role.

https://dversepoets.com/

About purplepeninportland

I am a freelance poet, born and bred in Brooklyn, New York. I live with my husband, John, and two charming rescue dogs–Marion Miller and Murphy. We spent eight lovely years in Portland, OR, but are now back in New York. My goal is to create and share poetry with others who write, or simply enjoy reading poetry. I hope to touch a nerve in you, and feel your sparks as well.
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23 Responses to The Grifter

  1. Paula Light says:
    March 21, 2023 at 12:23 am

    Oh nice twist! 😀

    Like

  2. rothpoetry says:
    March 21, 2023 at 1:38 am

    A nice ending twist, Sara. One last shifty attempt before the slammer!

    Like

  3. Sadje says:
    March 21, 2023 at 1:42 am

    Good one Sara.

    Like

  4. memadtwo says:
    March 21, 2023 at 2:10 am

    too shifty for his own good! (K)

    Like

  5. merrildsmith says:
    March 21, 2023 at 10:24 am

    Perfectly done! You hooked me with those first lines.

    Like

  6. D. Avery @shiftnshake says:
    March 21, 2023 at 12:18 pm

    Good thing the cop was also on the night shift. Fun take!

    Like

  7. Mish says:
    March 21, 2023 at 3:35 pm

    Busted! Good one, Sara. 🙂

    Like

  8. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) says:
    March 21, 2023 at 8:27 pm

    Ha… there is always someone even more clever.

    Like

  9. Helen says:
    March 21, 2023 at 11:05 pm

    You gave us a tricky ending to a delightful quadrille, Sara.

    Like

  10. Arcadia (@MissArcadia) says:
    March 23, 2023 at 12:09 am

    I too like the twist at the end. Nicely done.

    Like

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