Lucky Larry

Actual person that I know.

Larry is seventy-five.

Just trying to survive.

I tell you no jive.

Fancy's himself a ladies man like his Dad.

Still caught up in the fad.

Lives in the shelter.

Luck running hot like an arctic swelter.

Been there for three years with his wife and son.

Still not done.

Grew up in his old man's barbershop.

With just a little off the top.

Playing cards in the back room between philandering, bookmaking and cutting hair.

All handled impeccably with a stylish flair.

Worked as a numbers runner.

A real neighborhood stunner.

Has a line of credit at the corner store.

So he can gamble more.

Scratch tickets, Keno and state's numbers.

Soup kitchen salads with extra cucumbers.

Just one more bet.

Hold the regret.

He know's the value of a buck.

And how to conjure up luck.

Goes to  the doctor claiming to be in pain.

Hoping for gain.

Fills the prescription and sells the pills.

More to bet to cure all of his ills.

Gets his government check on the first.

Can't figure why his finances are cursed.

Already owes the store one-fifty.

Kinda shifty.

On the hook with storage for another one-fifty.

How nifty.

Always in the hole.

But has a goal.

Someday soon gonna hit it real big.

Be rollin' in it like a fat, stuck pig.

Fingers sore from scratching tickets.

Legs bowed like a case of rickets.

Yeah, Larry lives in the shelter.

Amidst all the helter-skelter.

Been there for a little bit of time.

Because he can't save a dime.

Thank Heaven not all of life is cash and carry.

Especially if you're ...

... Lucky Larry ...

Author's Note

"The cost of a thing is the amount of what I will call life which is required to be exchanged for it, immediately or in the long run." - Thoreau

Reviews

[emmajoy]

Such a moving but hard-hitting home truth! Tis such as finely written non-judgemental tale of how a foolish man's life is lost time and time again. A life that runs short of hope as well as an honest dollar or two because being careful, frugal or whatever - is just too easy. As you infer, an attitude like that rarely wins, sad fact. Hence the shelter holds too many restless nights, hears too many prayers and curses cos that's how it is. Great poetry, great intent, Pete.

Fine music too - know BH is one of your faves!

[Pete]

thank you em. you are a wise & insightful person with a good heart. BH definitely one of my faves!
here's hoping that all your days are blessed ones dear friend ...

[emmajoy]

I know he is, you recommended him to me ages ago! Meantime, your post is so empathic but also logical, not easy to combinme the two emotions or character traits, whatever

[John the Baptist]

I don't know if the subject of the poem is real or fictional, but he is representative of a certain type of man. He never accepted the 9 to 5 work ethic, was attracted to high rolling based on games of chance. Sometimes these guys do get over, but they are the rarity. If they don't change, most wind up like Larry. Nice character study. Would make a great ballad.

[Pete]

real person that i know. everything is true. it's engrained in him by his father & the way he was raised. thanks for taking a chance on this write J. the B. ... :)

[Shep]

Sometimes I feel like Lucky Lary for it truly fits home on day to day bases. very well written. I am not very good when describing poems other than saying they make feel emotional and pointing out the imagery in them.

[Pete]

thanks for trying your luck on this write Shep. your thoughts are well appreciated ... :)