earth note 510

victor, colorado

the casino lobbyists

won out
taking over cripple creek
just down the road
from victor
     an old working gold mining town
of about four hundred and fifty people

cripple creek buses in

the senior citizen gamblers
through winding mountain roads
sometimes a herd of cattle
     milks them
     and then returns them
     to their cities

victor

     meanwhile
continues to fight off
the gambling predators
(in favor of gold one might argue)
nevertheless opening their doors
to the artists     artisans   
     bohemian rhapsodies
as the old buildings sing-out
rejoicing in the fact that they're
still standing
carrying on tradition
shouting down
the bought and paid for hucksters
before they open their mouths

--- e b bortz