3. Stripped Scene
addicts gripping hands – self inflicted
crescent moons carved into palms –
the anticipation of the next hit –
a throat punch in the center
of the desert
dream symbols hover above
blinking, bleeping money-
taking machines – hard-earned
habit makers – chance entices,
screams out for an empty pocket
as amber liquid swishes
from glasses to stomachs,
ends up swirling in porcelain
blood in the urine is the glowing
warning to slow down, but this city
numbs any fear of dying
or at least eliminates
the ability to care
they’re all in fire lodge pose
where every familiar talks backwards
and every savored slow-motion moment
brings a worrying grin to
powder encrusted lips
the sun is rising and
even in this windowless
pleasure trap, the local
veteran can still feel
its burn deep within
his dusty soul
Image by tookapic from Pixabay
Thistle Thoughts 
Damn. That one hits hard. I don’t like cities either.
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The Twin Peaks revival series scenes of Vegas really brought out my disdain for this place, I think.
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I don’t watch TV, I’m afraid, so I don’t know the reference. But I personally refuse to believe Vegas is real, anymore than I can the Earth is flat. And She’s not. Anyway. Good writing!
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That’s funny. 🙂 Before I lived here I didn’t know it was possible to live here. Life brings you to interesting places sometimes. I’m ready to move on to the next place & will soon. Thanks so much for the encouragement. It is much appreciated.
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Of course, my pleasure. Well, good luck. If i may be so bold, if you’re looking to lay down roots and grow; the Northeast is your friend. They aren’t bombarding us with chemical spills, crime is lowish, and there’s nothing close to LA except Connecticut, which shouldn’t be real.
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I’m heading home to Michigan. Seasons have been lacking in my life for too long.
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Never been. Heard they do a lot of German and Scandinavian festivals.
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When I was a kid we would go to Frankenmuth for awesome German food & festivals.
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Jelly. German food is damned good.
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A sad, disturbing and haunting poem Jennifer!
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Thank you for reading, Dominic
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My pleasure Jennifer!
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Even before I glimpsed the comments I thought what a magnificently Lynchian vision this is. You are just the person to write the indelible nightmare that is Vegas. Receding blessedly soon from your rear-view but not likely forgotten.
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I love that you picked up on it 🙂 I won’t forget my lessons from the neon desert, that is true. 🙂
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This is a city that only lives in film for me, being from the old colonial world. I cannot actually imagine anyone living there, but the same goes for places like LA or Connecticut (I blame those Gilmore Girls. That place just isn’t believable). I’m so pleased for you that you get to return to your home state!
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😀 Yes! It’s interesting how many places I’ve only known cinematically, giving each place a dreamlike or fantastical quality. Thank you! We’re playing a waiting game now about when we’ll be leaving, but everything is in motion. I just have to be patient until I find out the exact date.
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Oh man this is EXCELLENT writing.
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Thank you!
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I watched a Percy Jackson film with the boys and was thinking just the same, about it being surreal that lovely people like yourself live so close to those lights and activity (Percy gets lured into staying at a casino for much longer than he wanted). I was also listening to the Sheryl Crow song recently 😉 Anyway, fab poem again and so excited for your move!
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Haha time has a way of disappearing in a casino. ☺️ Thanks, Monty.
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