Gamblers and Mourners 'Round the World

The gamblers and the mourners Explore the vagaries of fate, The expediency of life Dangling in the capitol rotunda Like a hanged man His hair standing on end, His boots in the air. Write, sing, boo, Do what you will Never mind the outcome. Words are cheap, they said, But they knew better. The price was dust-- Gold dust, that is-- By the ounce. Enough. Enough. Swinging from that bough, Rope rubbing the bark raw: It was a tree in that rotunda, Where they hung them high. Crows roost there at night. Monkeys swing by day. The crows fly away. The monkeys take flight. Women come and go, Taking the sight. Evening is still Outside where the grass grows. Obsidian crutches punch the ground. Eagles fly where they please. They do not fly near the tree. Effervescent truly, Shards unruly, Dying away like rumblings, Trains at the station Puff and wait, puff and wait. They pull like many horses. Over in Scotland, Inverness is halted. The city is slow, The soul of the yard. Fruit ripens all golden Everything rotten, Lies on the ground. Shuffle the deck and draw water Encamped on the trail.