when “free drinks in the casino” doesn’t cut it anymore



i laid myself on the table like cards and

said play me.  pick me up 	arrange my numbers and faces then

see if you can win.		i hear i’m a lucky draw.



we were one of those machines that keep going

even when no one’s put money in.	we ran on empty we ran on

nickels and quarters we ran on	cherries apples and limes slots.



now i want to trade sides and		treat you like five card draw

keep two or three cards      discard the rest		ask

for better replacements.	our game has turned to craps.



the air in here is dense	thick with middle-aged second hand pollutants

players glare at me as i weave	through their machines and tables

in my		constant struggle to	track you down

like i was a hunter and you were my dinner.



i wonder what they’d think		if i ended this charade right here

laid you down on the table like cards

laid you down in my mind like the past	started up a fire

in the center of this flashing light chaos

picked up a knife and fork

and had myself a feast.