Paul Burgess

One Last Bet

Instead of sending clients urgent mail, 
I'm analyzing records, sires, and odds 
And noting pace and distance from the rail 
While feeling favored by the racing gods. 

I'll wager what she loaned to cover rent,
And after cashing out the bets I laid,
I'll pay her every dollar ever lent
And buy her dinner with the money made.

Today, I'll win at least a couple grand
And have a ladder taller than this hole.
Before, the horses dealt a dirty hand,
But now my gut is saying "pole to pole".

This time, I really mean it when I say,
"I swear I'll win this race and walk away."

Paul Burgess, an emerging poet, is the sole proprietor of a business in Lexington, Kentucky that offers ESL classes in addition to English, Japanese, and Spanish-language translation and interpretation services. He has contributed work to Blue Unicorn, The Orchards, Lighten Up Online, and several other publications and has recently begun writing short fiction.