Roulette by Scott Elder

Roulette

And here lies a remnant of drop and

swing   a piece of soul   fossilised

and here   a breath of life   congealed

on ruby lips   chandelier and marble steps

flick and spin   a creature in birth

smelling of Brandy before demise

twelve sets of eyes fixed on a bead

the momentum   orbit   and fall

here the croupier   a hangman

of sorts   little considers the odds

and rakes in the chips   indifferent

as wind   as water   as God

Scott Elder lives in Auvergne, France. His work has been published on both sides of the Atlantic, placed or commended in numerous competitions in the UK and Ireland, and shortlisted in the Bridport, Fish, Plough, Aesthetica and Troubadour Prizes. His second collection, ‘Maria’ was published by Erbacce Press in 2023. A third entitled ‘My Hotel’ is due in 2026 by Salmon Poetry.  Website: https://www.scottelder.co.uk/