The Poetry Corner

Chemin De Fer

By Paul Cameron Brown

Had I been a gambling man, eschewing the "shoe" of chemin de fer ... perpetually perched upon that throne ... effete kingdom of the dice. II I am that gambling man ... taking free access to many a natural habitat, lure of the open road, contents under a bottle cap, the riverine delicacies of female flesh. Svelte, like the croupier's green vision of cloth, tingley-trigger smooth yet addictive to the touch. III Or the pleasures of Ovaltine (not necessarily the brand name) ... by the handful or cup ... upon a summer's day, the mind blur of expensive art. IV Blackjack. Three card stud. The poker-faced look of many opponents peeling cards from the bottom of the deck, some ear-marked for success with time-honoured stratagems (& doctored hands) that leave me reeling (or is it nursing) patent-made regrets. V Something primeval about wanting to trade up your fortune at the expense of the House. Ambuscades. Indecision. VI Games of chance the apt metaphor of our daily roulettes.