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UNDERGROUND VOICES: POETRY
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STEVEN GULVEZAN The Trotters Hazel Park Raceway— These were the trotters— I walked over because my car was Long gone – and I stole a racing form from Some guy puking in the crapper— And I found half a hamburger still in The wrapper in the stall next door— Found my lucky seat and went downtown— But it was not a good night betting my Funny money— Twelve races, I was shut out— But, the last race, the thirteenth race, There was this horse named Jesus Help Me – fifty-to-one odds – I thought What the hell – though the jockey Bobby Herzog was a little son-of-a-bitch – I knew Him well – he’d cost me a pretty penny – Still I pretended I put $100 -- on Jesus Help Me To win – Jesus ran strong – he was first around The final turn but then a horse named Cookie’s Revenge passed him in the final Stretch by a nose – and the thing was – I swear that bastard Bobby Herzog was pulling Jesus in – Bobby was holding Jesus back – The fix was in they didn’t want Jesus Or me to win – so using my last connection I talked my way past the jockeys’ room door And for the sake of Jesus – and my sake – I pointed my imaginary pistol at Bobby Herzog’s head and in my mind I blasted That cheating jockey dead. Steven Gulvezan was born in Detroit and has spent his career as a library director and a journalist. His fiction and poetry have appeared in over twenty different literary publications. He is an avid tennis fan, a prolific reader, a member of the Mystery Writers of America and a film aficionado. He resides in Michigan with his wife, Karen and his dog, Yogi. |
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© 2004-2010 Underground Voices |
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