Alive and Well in Las Vegas
The King and I sat in a barber shop
on the Las Vegas strip
swapping oft-told stories
and questioning the reasonings
behind failed empires
He explained how his realm reaches
far outside the lines of Clark County
where one-armed bandits
pay homage to sinners
and tax collectors
He spoke with quiet authority
on the decline of principles
and goodwill toward men
using literary devices
to illustrate his finer points
With the sun soon to vanish
in the cool desert air
He tucked his hair up under his hat
and led his sandaled entourage
down the boulevard
december two thousand thirteen
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
