Mississippi

Making sure to call out of work
from time to time as necessary
he remembers to loosen his grip
on those Aces he clutches conservatively
for long enough to let the King breathe
and convince the Queen not to leave
since he swears he's not bluffing this time.

Maestro, you can't take it with you
so you might as well play those tunes
now, while they'll all still hear them.

"Another round for the house!"
he yells as the piano player hits harder
and the boat rocks a little
causing even the Dealer to sway.

The oil's still in his hair from work
and half the cracks in his hands are black
despite the scrubbing in the shower
but still she lets him touch her, insists.

Others at the table lean back in their chairs
reassessing their hands

as ours fumble together
forgetting to count the chips, but knowing they're there
we laugh a little, silently bragging.

We'll divy up the blues and reds before
returning to our room, keeping the whites
as tokens for the tolls for the rest of the Trip.