Las Vegas, USA

Tourust bus pulls into the Palomino station
at three o'clock in the morning

At the terminal door: Welcome to Las Vegas !

Running thru casinos with a plastic cup in hand
chips sparkle silently in the air

Eyes widen like smoking roulette wheels
"Gentlemen, please place your bets."

Scoop up the coins with both arms curled
and flower-print arms outstretched

The marquee reads: Welcome to the City of Lights

Lung cancer slot machines spin the night long
surreal image in a spiritual desert

Lonely American city like no other
as gamblers double over in their grief

Mirage on the highway -- America the beautiful
you come back to play again and again

A virtual reality: Welcome to Las Vegas, USA

2.3.94