gamble

your friend
loves to gamble.
you can see it in
his eyes.
it's sex,
it's a drug
to him.
poker,
the slots, horses
at the track
all is fair game.
even with
food he'll say
things like
I bet I can eat
thirty raw
oysters and not
have a heart
attack.
and someone will
put down
the money and watch
as his eyes
and stomach
grow larger
and larger, a
little horse radish,
some tabasco,
a bet is a bet.