I'll wait until my money's gone <br />Before I take the sleeping pills; <br />Then when they find me in the dawn, <br />Remote from earthly ails and ills <br />They'll say: "She's broke, the foreign bitch!" <br />And dump me in the common ditch. <br /> <br />So thought I, of all hope bereft, <br />And by my evil fate obsessed; <br />A thousand franks was all I'd left <br />Of that fair fortune I possessed. <br />...I throw it on the table there, <br />And wait, with on my lips a prayer. <br /> <br />I fear my very life's at stake; <br />My note is lying on the Red . . . <br />I know I'll lose it, then I'll take <br />My pills and sleep until I'm dead . . . <br />Oh God of mercy, understand! <br />In pity guide the croupier's hand. <br /> <br />My heart beats hard, my lips are dry; <br />I feel I cannot bear to look. <br />I dread to hear the croupier's cry, <br />I'll sit down in this quiet nook. <br />The lights go dim, my senses reel . . . <br />See! Jesus Christ is at the wheel. <br /> <br /> * * * * * * * <br /> <br />Kind folks arouse me from my trance. <br />"The Red has come ten times," they say. <br />"Oh do not risk another chance; <br />Please, Lady, take your gains away, <br />And to the Lord of Luck give thanks - <br />You've won nigh half a million franks." <br /> <br />Aye, call me just a daft old dame; <br />I knit and sew to make my bread, <br />And nevermore I'll play that game, <br />For I've a glory in my head. . . . <br />Ah well I know, to stay my fall, <br />'Twas our dear Lord who spun the ball.<br /><br />Robert William Service<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/roulette/
