silver in the air

if they win it will be chablis
if they lose it's beer
they play
but they don't hear the beat of the game

if they win they smoke cigars
if they lose it's cigarettes
how do they see me in the night and why?

a door opens inside
it stinks but it's warm
they accept me but not quite
their dice are loaded
they play to win
to smoke cigars to drink chablis
but they abuse the game

she is silver when i am out again
breathing the silver in and out
she opens another door ajar
she nods embarrassed

how well i know her thin smile
of apology and worried encouragement



wh,
1987-02-23