one arm bandits

i cash

in my social security check

for quarters

and head

to Atlantic City

to see what all the fuss is about.

i find

a slot machine,

and a chair,

a pot of coffee

and some snacks, and

settle in for the day.

i keep pulling

the arm

of the slot machine

until the money's

all gone.

but another check

arrives next Tuesday.

so i'll be back.