Life's Casino Poem by Michael Shutt

The worlds casino
cashes in-
without regard
or one missed beat,

Unless you count
time's ticking clock
which marches
coldly on
without regard

To Hearts,

To Hopes,

Or even
happy happenstance.

It's just a rigged
Roulette Wheel,

Wheel of
False Faced
Lying turn of fortune-

Seeking easy Megabuck.

Damn you,
lying Lady Luck.

Yes.

The wheel is rigged,
and only Saints and Suckers
think that they
can ever beat the House.

And cash filled
thunderstorms roll in,
leaving only
foolish cavaliers
to tilt at teasing
taunting windmill slots.

Tomorrow's gone.

But still comes yet.

Time marches on.

The Future's set.

Set by Omniscient
Casino owner who deals
from decks stacked full
of Half Faced
Kings and Queens,
and Spades
and Jacks:

'Buy a ticket!
Take a chance! '

Even though the deck is stacked.

Even though the game is rigged.

You're lucky ticket
came up empty.

Poker?

Blackjack?

21?

'Forget it, pal.
You're losing, Son.'

'Don't you know
the winner always
is the House? '

'So have a drink on us.'

And pay us, Pal.

And have another drink.

It's free.

It's on the house.