when one thinks
of Las Vegas
the Vegas
outside the strip
one thinks
of dusty mom and pop casinos
surrounded by empty spaces
and long
lonely boulevards
and dim street lamps
when one is inside Vegas
those boulevards
become thoroughfares
lined with homes and courtyards
a deep pile carpet
of red and pink
Spanish-tile rooftops
∇
at night
one realizes
there is a noise in Vegas
the sound of the freeways
and laughter
voices calling out
in a joy of life
whether
it is the raucous noise
of the inebriated
or simply the exhilaration
of an American affluence
smack
in the middle of nowhere
is impossible to say
∇
I stand in the quiet
of the small patio
and listen to the noise
it is a happy noise
the noise of life
joy
and an occasional
squeal of surprise
not the rasping
cough
of a win
on the casino floor
but the gleeful expression
of the thrill
of the unbridled night
[photo: http://www.hougaardmalan.com/ ]
