Best Vegas Poems
On the streets of sin city, on the high roller's main drag,
Known as the Las Vegas Strip, a gentlemen phantom
Does stroll dressed in all black attire, striding forth with his golden Cain,
Flipping a silver chip into the air, and mocking at its power.
The devil's agent of deception is he, retaining a list of names
To collect upon, this gentlemen bandit of the forsaken.
He is here on the dark master’s behalf, ready to claim on
The I.O.U's signed by the greedy, and innocence fallen.
Quietly, moving amongst the crowded venues, he waits
Until his lord calls the name of the unlucky, to be reposed.
Dance do the neon lights, flashing towards pleasure dens of iniquity,
As ladies whom belong unto the night itself, offer their
Tokens of favor, for a working man's paycheck.
Black jacks twenty-one, cut those cards, and pass them out
The first timers dumb luck, will deliver him unto evil,
On this walkers dead man's list tonight.
Against the loaded dice, no soul is left unsanctified,
On the sacred green velvet altar, the wheel of fortune
Spins out of control, then hitting the baccarat tables
Wooden wall, someone screams snake eyes.
Then all is lost, faded are the dreams of illusion, melting away
Into the harsh desert soil, along the road side leading to sin city.
Beneath the arid sandy duns, lies the grave yard
Of the unknown unidentified, a missing persons
Smorgasbord of the rich and infamous, lying right
Beside, the unreported poor man corpse.
This is the Grim Reapers play ground, taunting
And tormenting, those begging for redemptions
Last chance to gain a reprieves pardon.
But when tapped by his golden cain of death,
Your life's essence has wagered it's last bet,
To the winner goes the spoils, and now you
Belong unto the devil.
People say what happens in Vegas stays
There, and rightly so will he agree, with his blackened
Heart and soul, for after all is this not
The capital of hell on earth, known as
Sin City, Las Vegas, Nevada.
The populations of the undead just added
Another’s names tally and the gentlemen
Dressed all in black, is sent a wandering
Again amongst the crowed streets, to claim
Another victim in the dark master’s wrath of
Vengeance.
BY: CHERYL ANNA DUNN
He caught a ride to somewhere going nowhere;
first hopped inside a slowed-down limousine.
The driver felt a chill and turned to stare
at someone seated in the back unseen.
A new car’s scent; the passenger smelled nothing.
The seat of luxury he could not feel.
The driver then off-key began to sing
to no one as he slowly tapped the wheel.
His passenger joined in and crooned unheard
that ancient tune “It was a very good year,”
his old blue eyes once clear becoming blurred,
and down his cheek there rolled a single tear.
Again compelled, the chauffeur turned his head -
then saw a small spot where the tear was shed.
In Las Vegas is where we will be
for the night life is something to see.
We can take in a show
and then let the wine flow;
but the daytime is for poetry!
Any member of Poetry Soup
may attend. Let me give you the scoop:
on the first day at noon
we will gather and swoon
at the readings of all in our group.
Where we meet, it will be like a fair
with food and fun, seeing who’s there
with our very own eyes,
checking out gals and guys.
Who’s got flair, and who’s still got their hair?
On a weekend we’ll do this in fall,
reading fave poems inside a huge hall.
One poem each; make it short
or we’ll have to abort!
Then we’ll mingle and dance. Have a ball!
March 10, 2019
I can't begin to fathom
What it must be like
To be filled with fear and terror
While running for your life.
I can't begin to fathom
Looking all around
Searching for some shelter
And seeing bodies on the ground.
I can't begin to fathom
To find a loved one lying still
Begging them to wake up
Yet know they never will.
I can't begin to fathom
Hiding and in wait
Ducking in the shadows
Afraid of tempting fate.
I can't begin to fathom
How a human, same as me.
Could rifle down the innocent
Destroy lives and families.
I can't begin to fathom
The confusion,trauma, pain
The survivors have to live through
To go on with life again.
I can't begin to fathom
How such bloodshed still goes on
When will we come to realize
We're doing something wrong?
This has to be the end of this
There can't be one more time
How many more must lose their lives
Before we draw the line?
Let's crush this senseless madness
Don't leave it up to fate.
We need to find an answer
Before it's way too late.
Our Las Vegas Wedding ( For My Love)
As our feet finally touch down on safe terra firma
Thoughts of our marriage could not be further
Jet lagged and weary
In a strange foreign land
From our port hole window
Bright lights...rock silhouette,
Darkness disguising its sand.
Overwhelmed and exhausted
Blackpool times a million is the feeling i get
As we step into the terminal,
From our large jumbo jet.
First sound we hear is the jingles of fruit machines
Welcoming you to Vegas
Its not all that it seems!
Just a teaser...a taster...a hint if you will
A fantasy land to the tourists,
A slave to the dollar bill
My comparisons to a large Blackpool
Could not be further from the truth
As we stand dumbfounded and wowed by its majestic proof!
The reason for our visit is our imminent marriage
As we wait nervously for our luxury carriage
Wee Kirk of the Heather Chapel is our quaint destination,
Chosen for Scottish links
To be the venue of our elation!
My mind is awash with mistakes i may make
A dropped ring or a kiss the wrong way
My bride smiles and reassures me....she feels the same way!
Standing at the altar..as chapel door opens
My beautiful bride in blue appears
My heart starts to race as i choke back a tear
Soon we unite at the head of the alter
Its now that i realise this is natural
Im calm, i will not falter!
Preliminary vows are read by the Minister
Uniting our vows
To pronounce us Mrs and Mr
Our evident relief
As we walk from the chapel
Hand in hand to the flash of the camera
We kiss on the boulevard to start a new chapter in our life
So here's to our future,
And did i mention....My beautiful wife!
Copyright
S Rose
Whatever happens in Vegas,
Doesn't stay in Vegas.
It follows you home,
And You NEED SHOTS !
With an oxymoron for a title
It would seem my poem should be over
And in fact I guess it nearly is.
City built at Hell’s very door
Sell your future for a thrill ride
‘At least I know where I’m going,’
Some might say,
‘What could be more horrific than Paradise?’
‘Death on a cross, proof of God’s love?’
‘Maybe my dad wasn’t that bad?’
‘I could run away from him!’
God’s Love Equals Martyrdom,
That should sell like hot cakes!
Safe in Las Vegas, how is that again?
What might it be you really are safe from?
Earthquakes seem likely, knees are knocking
Disasters on steroids temporarily on pause.
Losers spend money like water,
But Las Vegas itself has none
Aquifers parched as the desert above.
Dollars pass for toilet paper in this town
Time is such a sad story here
Like life itself having no value,
Wheels always spinning their lies
Really you still feel safe here?
Plastic is the only way to know I AM.
Brian Johnston
June 6, 2015
We went to Las Vegas for the very first time,
My husband, father in law, and I all partners in crime.
Each of us brought $500 to spend.
We hoped it would last through the week's end.
I was itching to try my hand at slots,
While they hit the tables like a couple of hot shots.
My plan was to keep any winnings I won,
And if I lost, I would be done.
We had a grand old time for that week,
Hoping we would hit a lucky streak.
We went to Hoover Dam, casinos, and shows.
Sin City was an exciting place that never closed.
So far my luck on the slots was pretty good,
But nothing earth-shattering like I thought it would.
Not feeling well, one day I stayed behind in our suite,
While they went to a Holyfield fight, a real treat.
Later I decided to go downstairs to get a snack,
And saw a slot machine calling me, “Please come back.”
So I sat down at this double diamond slot to play,
When all hell broke loose, with money hitting the tray.
I had hit the lucky seven double diamonds.
With only two coins, it was auspicious timing.
My eyes were as big as saucers in shock.
My heart was beating loudly, as people gathered to gawk.
The ringing was deafening in my ears,
As I waited for the management to pay me amidst cheers.
My jackpot was $3200 after Uncle Sam’s portion.
I headed back to my room after the stupendous commotion.
I spread the hundred dollar bills all over the bed in anticipation
To see my family’s reaction upon return, and their exclamation.
When Dave and Frank walked into the room, they stopped in flabbergast.
The sight of the money on the bed almost gave them a heart attack.
It was as much fun seeing their shocked expressions,
As it was hitting the lucky sevens in succession.
“I thought you were sick,” my husband said in shock.
I replied, ”Well I had to get something to eat, and I played a slot.”
The rest of the trip I still won a few more bucks.
Even at the airport I won $200 with unexplainable luck.
Dave and Frank played hard, but were going home bust.
But I was going home a winner, which satisfied my wanderlust!
Designed for spending money,
It's devoid of any soul.
Gamble, smoke and guzzle,
For depravity's the goal.
Flash and glitz and dazzle,
Fancy stores with no one buying;
Mothers dragging babies late at night
In strollers, crying.
Eiffel Tower, Pyramid,
Volcano timed to quake;
Flower carousel and Brooklyn Bridge -
And all are fake.
Even the reality's
Designed to blow your mind -
Fountains and flamingos,
Tanks with fish of every kind.
Once a lifetime's quite enough
To take in all the hype.
A million cities beckon -
All, I'm certain, more my type.
Las Vegas, big win. The coins are flying.
Casino is broke. Heart attacks. Someone's dying.
On Power Plant two teenagers were playing.
With buttons and wires, just pushing and cutting ;-D
Vegas be Damned!
Vegas took him off the board at 80.
As the cards were dealt each day, passersby
would swear the deck was stacked –
against him. Fate had, for some reason,
chosen him to constantly be in the line
that closed for lunch, watching the bus
he just missed - leave. Youth, street kid,
pin setter in a bowling alley, living at the
kindness of friends parents, eating as the
opportunity presented. 17, enlisted,
good duty, three hots and a cot. Re-enlisted,
war, Korea, PTSD (before it was PTSD).
Discharged, returned to the streets of
his youth – no longer a youth. The drink,
elixir of the damned, damnation of the
scarred, comforter of the comfortless.
Arrests and jail time, flop houses, back
to the streets. Early in his forties, fate’s
dealer broke open a new deck. A chance
meeting, a choice, an unsteady walk,
a door, into a new life. Get well jobs,
dishwasher, grave digger, volunteer.
A 75 dollar car, an apartment of his
own, friends, and fellowship. Another
better job, 30 years later, retirement
at age 75. A birthday party shared with
friends - many half his age of 84. He
still walks the streets of his youth
proudly, thinks of those who, unlike him,
were not as fortunate. Those who succumbed
to the rigors of life, and death, the unseen
wounds that never healed, the hopelessness
of a stacked deck. He laughs a lot, has a
bit of a skip in his step, a wry smile on his
face, an MBTA Charlie Card in his wallet,
and a plan to be a part of this day.
Vegas be damned!
John G. Lawless
10/18/2014
for Gautami Phookan – Sketch a Character – Poetry Contest
McRaccoon had a plan to steal again… He would usurp all the theatrical arts.
No holding back, mind running high on ambition, he’d rule Vegas, from the start.
He would dominate Sigfrid and Roy, with only a plan and his illustrious, smarts.
But he needed our help… Did we dare help out? Or would he break our hearts?
When we heard the plan… We cheered him on…He really was so very amazing!
Riding high on a dream… He could win with his scheme, and the right connections.
So GrandFather Troll, made a quick call… to Norway… and all of his relations!
After a time, deals were struck; contracts were signed…yes, for use of their dragons!
Now, backers were found, financing his show, with first pick on the strip, as a bonus.
We couldn’t believe, what we were about to see, Dragons were coming to Vegas!
For a year and a day, he’d have his own way, but, naturally, we’d monitor his boldness.
After all, they had to get here, without incident, so preparations had to be flawless!
Publicity well known, and security in place, MCRac rode into Vegas on the dragons.
He and the Trolls set the dragons down, amid applause, and yes, jets circling above us.
The President, allowed nothing less, to protect his people, he admitted to being cautious.
Instead of danger, found… the dragons allowed everyone to touch them, in celebration.
The Trolls were there, to make sure everything went well, as Hollywood bowed asunder.
And McRac, signed autographs, with a shortened new name more befitting, his grandeur.
Finally, everyone won, McRac was set for years, and our worries, had been unfounded.
The dragons, you know, are now publicity hogs, and frolicking, so don’t miss the shows.
Our actor Trolls, who flew in with McRac, are the hit of the strip, in their very own show.
And guess who’s got the best seats in both the theatres?
To Sigfrid and Roy: your show must go on. But, if you can’t beat us… come… join us!
And to all else, I’ll be home, at Troll Lake… as will the rest… sooner or later.
My Poems
Are but only and unto me
An inner source of both shuttling
and chastening my day dreams
My very own fantastical imagination
galaxy and far off universe
Inside my head rallying me to discover
what may well just reside beyond the
setting stellar sun or dark side of the moon
Because I would far rather be alone and
searching for something more significant
other than this out there than here
Than awaken again tomorrow with a
sore neck from staring up at a sky full
of shooting stars
Constantly wishing and waiting for the quickening crash of thunder and lightning
to strike
And with such levity and brevity of
clarified thought and sadly devoid of
any means of leaving this world's earths atmosphere behind
I instead have no other option left but
to try and imagine it's splendor in my
mind's eye
And even if I was to take this journey
on my own alone with not another
single soul or anyone to tell
How would that be any different
but rather so much better than being
surrounded by people but nobody
willing to listen
I think at least much like the 1st Apollo
crew taking 1 small step for mankind
who returned
I would rather happily live out the rest
of my life as a Giant
Jettisoned as a castaway just me myself
and Wilson
Gazing out a porthole both utterly bemused
and blown away taking in an ever increasing
impressive interplanetary firework display
Thankful for the fact this ethereal majesty
has thus far been spared from humankind
Otherwise this would probably by now
have been turned into a ride on an
amusement park complete with hotel
casino fast food chains and shopping mall
Icy branches
Crack in rhythm
Snap, pop, pop.
Laughing limbs swing
Unawares.
Hate strikes.
Bodies
Lie crumpled.
Eagles soar
Then dive.
Stiffened wings are
Vultures carrion.
Bodies lie
Trampled,
Insides torn outside.
If I was a thousand miles from Vegas
I think I'd still scream your name
If I thought there was a chance I'd say it
My lungs would tell you just who's to blame
You're so pretty
You're so pretty
When you smile
You fascinate me
So fascinate me for awhile
You make me
You make me wanna take you home
You make me
You make me wanna take you home
Don't know what I'll do when I get there
Don't know what I'll do when I get there boy
You make me wanna take you home
These bright
City lights
Only make me more lonely
There's no cure for what I've got
Won't someone tell me what I want
If you take me home now
Take me home now
Vegas