--For my Mother.

Insert another Day in the slot machine
Betting on happiness
Waiting for the stars to align
the wild lights flashing
Toss aside the mathematical improbability
You know the possibility:
Quarters dancing in the metal pan
Soliciting shrills of joy

Such a simple game
between you and the button
trapped in this 11 by 11 casino
All you can do is wishing

Cigarette smoke making you teary-eyed
Stench of alcohol making you nauseous

You get up to leave
But the machine is screaming:
“What's one more day?
When you are betting on happiness?
Don't you hear the laughters?
Don't you see the lights flashing?
Tomorrow is the day,
that I can't promise.
But sit down one more time
All you can do is wishing”

Wishing, pushing
Hoping , waiting
Dreaming, waking
Crying, leaving.