Roulette

Unfinished business

to tend to,

as another card is placed

on top of the stack

leaking gold from underneath.

Peripheral glances exchanged

in the red room indicate

the night is not yet over.

Ladies in long satin dresses lean

on the roulette table

their pupils focused

on the chosen one.

Multicolored paisley carpet

guides patrons to the next room

where muffled voices

churn out words

for the sake of reciprocity.

There is no way out of this place.

Spitting coins

and dollar store perfume

block the doorway.

The main thoroughfare

is caked with lace

and pinstriped suits.

The absence of clocks

streamlines the conversation

between night and day

and persuades all those present

to steal one more look

at the cards folded neatly

in front of another.

© 2012 d.c.p