A Christmas Casino Poem
By Bill Kearney
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house was barely enough food to feed a mouse. Our stockings had holes, chimney no heat, I waited in hope they’d return from the casino with something to eat. I’m a child of parents who got into bed with an industry that puts dancing fruits, bars and bells in your head.
My siblings were nestled all snug in their beds, this year it’s not sugar plums but despair in their heads. As I watch them drift off for a long winter’s nap, my prayers were for my parents to never go back. Then out in the driveway I heard such a crash, I ran to the window and threw up the sash.
Those lights of disaster made my vision clear but I couldn’t comprehend what to my wondering eyes should appear, was it police cars and officers in full gear? Mom’s hysterical using words I dare not repeat. Dad’s thrown down so quick, now there’s no doubt our future is bleak.
More rapid than alcohol and drugs it came, and those in our government swear its okay. Once legal they whistled, and shouted, and called them by name! "Now, Harrah’s! Now, Sugarhouse! Now, Mohegan Sun and Hollywood! On, Parx! On Sands and Mount Airy! Throughout the state we’ll fill tax coffers for all! Now bet away! Bet away! Bet away all!
Their money blows away in those slots like clouds in the sky, and so will their homes and families go by! So up to the house-top in debt they will be, with bankruptcy, foreclosure, and divorce bringing them to their knees.
One day in Philly I heard a man say we must stop the breeding of casino gambling degenerates today! He was dressed all in black, from his head to toe. He looked more like a gambler than a casino foe. His eyes-how they widen, his demeanor changed, as he addressed the non-ill effects of casino gambling our government proclaims.
His hands moved like pistons, his anger was seen as he exploited this industry like a well oiled machine. A bundle of safeguards he flashed out loud, things like no comps, no free booze, and no credit aloud.
Then he said something that made me think twice; “make casinos send monthly statements showing their sad plight.” I thought of my family and where we might be, if they got monthly statements and casinos never opened near me.
Before he left I heard him say, “Merry Christmas to all” then he exclaim, “if we sit back and do nothing we’re all going to pay and those long sleepless nights may come your way.”
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A Christmas Casino Poem
By Bill Kearney
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house was barely enough food to feed a mouse. Our stockings had holes, chimney no heat, I waited in hope they’d return from the casino with something to eat. I’m a child of parents who got into bed with an industry that puts dancing fruits, bars and bells in your head.
My siblings were nestled all snug in their beds, this year it’s not sugar plums but despair in their heads. As I watch them drift off for a long winter’s nap, my prayers were for my parents to never go back. Then out in the driveway I heard such a crash, I ran to the window and threw up the sash.
Those lights of disaster made my vision clear but I couldn’t comprehend what to my wondering eyes should appear, was it police cars and officers in full gear? Mom’s hysterical using words I dare not repeat. Dad’s thrown down so quick, now there’s no doubt our future is bleak.
More rapid than alcohol and drugs it came, and those in our government swear its okay. Once legal they whistled, and shouted, and called them by name! "Now, Harrah’s! Now, Sugarhouse! Now, Mohegan Sun and Hollywood! On, Parx! On Sands and Mount Airy! Throughout the state we’ll fill tax coffers for all! Now bet away! Bet away! Bet away all!
Their money blows away in those slots like clouds in the sky, and so will their homes and families go by! So up to the house-top in debt they will be, with bankruptcy, foreclosure, and divorce bringing them to their knees.
One day in Philly I heard a man say we must stop the breeding of casino gambling degenerates today! He was dressed all in black, from his head to toe. He looked more like a gambler than a casino foe. His eyes-how they widen, his demeanor changed, as he addressed the non-ill effects of casino gambling our government proclaims.
His hands moved like pistons, his anger was seen as he exploited this industry like a well oiled machine. A bundle of safeguards he flashed out loud, things like no comps, no free booze, and no credit aloud.
Then he said something that made me think twice; “make casinos send monthly statements showing their sad plight.” I thought of my family and where we might be, if they got monthly statements and casinos never opened near me.
Before he left I heard him say, “Merry Christmas to all” then he exclaim, “if we sit back and do nothing we’re all going to pay and those long sleepless nights may come your way.”
See More
By Bill Kearney
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house was barely enough food to feed a mouse. Our stockings had holes, chimney no heat, I waited in hope they’d return from the casino with something to eat. I’m a child of parents who got into bed with an industry that puts dancing fruits, bars and bells in your head.
My siblings were nestled all snug in their beds, this year it’s not sugar plums but despair in their heads. As I watch them drift off for a long winter’s nap, my prayers were for my parents to never go back. Then out in the driveway I heard such a crash, I ran to the window and threw up the sash.
Those lights of disaster made my vision clear but I couldn’t comprehend what to my wondering eyes should appear, was it police cars and officers in full gear? Mom’s hysterical using words I dare not repeat. Dad’s thrown down so quick, now there’s no doubt our future is bleak.
More rapid than alcohol and drugs it came, and those in our government swear its okay. Once legal they whistled, and shouted, and called them by name! "Now, Harrah’s! Now, Sugarhouse! Now, Mohegan Sun and Hollywood! On, Parx! On Sands and Mount Airy! Throughout the state we’ll fill tax coffers for all! Now bet away! Bet away! Bet away all!
Their money blows away in those slots like clouds in the sky, and so will their homes and families go by! So up to the house-top in debt they will be, with bankruptcy, foreclosure, and divorce bringing them to their knees.
One day in Philly I heard a man say we must stop the breeding of casino gambling degenerates today! He was dressed all in black, from his head to toe. He looked more like a gambler than a casino foe. His eyes-how they widen, his demeanor changed, as he addressed the non-ill effects of casino gambling our government proclaims.
His hands moved like pistons, his anger was seen as he exploited this industry like a well oiled machine. A bundle of safeguards he flashed out loud, things like no comps, no free booze, and no credit aloud.
Then he said something that made me think twice; “make casinos send monthly statements showing their sad plight.” I thought of my family and where we might be, if they got monthly statements and casinos never opened near me.
Before he left I heard him say, “Merry Christmas to all” then he exclaim, “if we sit back and do nothing we’re all going to pay and those long sleepless nights may come your way.”
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