bright yellow taxi drives freshly dug graves

soft dirt gives easily under the wheels, rolling and turning

turning and rolling up a wake, windows down, cigar smoke

rising, an unshaven driver, with a tam, and a scar on his left cheek

asks can you pay the fare?

a sheet of ice glistens under claws and talons

beaks peck away at the puck while a watchful

eye is kept. Sticks and stones or you're out of the game.

A toothless grin hidden under black bush

asks can you play fair?

A gypsy's tent, rolling caravan, and a crystal ball

tarot cards lie upside down on a sandy beach

frosted over by morning dew, dealt out

wrinkled, sunned hands whose bones crack in the cold

curly black hair tied back in a bandana

asks can you come to the fair?

scepters and pyramids, slots and tables, king tut

stands greeting gamblers with snapshots and smiles

Julius Caesar is on his break, a white asp

in hands quick like daggers stab players

twenty three times in mid march with the ace of spades

while dancing girls and flashing lights

ask will you play at pharaoh's?