Back in the Game

Six furlongs, neon lights, grit, and one shot at being back in the game.

To slide back in the mix�"
I need one good hit,
a tip sheet from Bacchus.

a horse that smells
like fire and bourbon,
early lick in its veins,
more heart than
Joe Louis,
more grit than
LaMotta in a smoke-filled ring,
more power than Marciano.

I need the odds
blinking my way from the tote board,
eight to one or better,
and the racing gods
to glance down
through the Hollywood Park clouds
and wink.

Just six furlongs,
one round of thunder,
and then�"
I’m back.

Back in the roar
of the track,
the clatter of hooves
and the smell of dirt,
degenerates and dwarves,
painted-up w****s,
hot dogs, spilled beer,
pick-up lines flying,
and the blazing neon,
neon lights bleeding
like a saxophone solo
out of a tavern door.

One twisted blessing,
one break,
one flash of luck,
snatched from the f*****g gutters,
and I’m alive�"back in it,
in the crowd, in the chaos and clamor,
in the smell of sweat and mustard,
with a scrape of discarded lottery tickets
and pennies from a Vons parking lot
that don’t belong to anyone
but me,
the taste of victory,
sweet and bitter,
on the roof of my mouth.

The track buzzes underfoot,
the horses’ hooves still ringing,
my dad’s gruff voice
and my little brother’s laugh
etched in the caverns of my mind,
and for one small, perfect home stretch,
I’m back in the game.

Author's Note

Thank you for stopping by. I just posted a new long-form video reading from Aluminum Cowboys, along with a few gritty vignettes I wrote recently.

You can watch it here:
https://youtu.be/QzS2hIl5HOU

If you’re interested, Aluminum Cowboys: Poems and Short Stories and my other recently published books are available on Amazon.

Thanks for reading, watching, and supporting the work.

— Thomas W. Case

Reviews

[John the Baptist]

With some great images and similes, this one puts you right at the track. I could not help but wonder if it captures the mindset not only of the occasional player, but to some extent that of the gambling addict, who knows if he just keeps playing the horses, sooner or later he'll get that big, big win.

[Thomas W Case]

Thank you, John. I appreciate the comment.

[ETERNITY]

That second stanza! A horse that smells like fire and bourbon...I feel the passion for the game while reading this! The draw of all the excitement, the painted up hookers, the smells playing with your senses as all the details surrounding the track and this luring addiction.
You do have the gift of presenting details and making them bloom just as you experienced them.
The draw of hot dogs gets me every time!
I guess when you're addicted, even the smell of horse manure is thrilling.
Awesome poem!

[Thomas W Case]

Lol..Thank you, Eternity. I appreciate it.

[Desert Knave]

Really descriptive and makes me wish I was at the dog track betting (Never have been to a horse race yet). Anyhow, great write. ~Jim

[Thomas W Case]

Thank you. Much appreciated.

[W. Barrett Munn]

Reminds me of all those nights I spent at Sams Town Poker Room with the sports book just acorss the aisle and all those bad bets and sure things. Excellent writing.

[Thomas W Case]

Thank you, my friend. I appreciate it.

[ETERNITY]

OhMyGosh! It feels like I am there! I received the books, Just A Hop, Skip and a Jump to the Madhouse and Aluminum Cowboys. Awesome! I love the stories and great photo of you on the back cover!

[Thomas W Case]

Thank you...I very much appreciate it.

[Ken Simm.]

This is excellent really felt the excitement and joy of winning. Great wordsmithing.

[Thomas W Case]

Much appreciated, my friend.

[red93]

All the vices Thomas - 'Gambling only pays when you're winning.' You capture the febrile atmosphere well. Really Excellent ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

[Thomas W Case]

Thank you, my friend.

[BuzzyB]

This was an exciting read. The taste of blood like the taste of victory---on the racecourse--I feel the heady feeling , the urgency and those memories. You did an awesome job with the imagery in this poem.

[Thomas W Case]

Thanks. I appreciate it.