how many ways

can you throw in the towel?

~wave a white flag~

/ call the ball foul /

ca$h in your chip$

(call it a day)

how many ways are there

out there to say:

↑ hey, uncle ↓

(gone  AWOL)

<now left in the lurch>

* for giving up ship *

–& calling off search–

(to cop out & opt out)

† of state, law, & church? †

~to shy from~

/ resign from /

¡ t0 f0rfeit !

2 cede…

how many ways

does one really need?

* since powder *

once taken

~can come after wash~

<your hands>

of the lot

(of it)

with terry-cloth tossed.

©Karen Robiscoe