2 poems by Mat Gould

the last shot of a trick and a pony

I didn't really have to place any bets
I jes shook a hand or two
and then
went up to the ticket booth
and
asked for the 6th horse 2nd race
the teller looked at me
as if
that was the ghost horse
the shroud and the stigma
I told him
that
it was not my money
or
my pride
I don't task for either
but
if there is a hope
it is
that we all want to get outta Hell
and
that horse has the legs to do it
straight from the gate
and
if it doesn't
there is always Lady Godiva
at the end of the night

© Mat Gould

 
all in

flip a penny
pick a side
it s the dumb luck we depend on
cash it in
and
not a damn thing changes
my back still aches
this heart still stops
the skin still crawls
and
there's nothing left
but
this sense that there's nothing left
I have a hard time breathing
and a harder time believing
yet
that is what it takes
jes to break even

© Mat Gould