Hierodules
Past midnight
in the cloyed atmosphere
of the casino’s underbelly
things were not as they seemed
I sat at a slot machine
trying to synchronize my mind
to the machine’s rhythm
brain balancing precariously
between mild intoxication
and growing inebriation
alcohol consumption evident
on limbs and a loose mind
chasing the elusive hit as
I heard an alluring, sultry voice.
“Hi, baby, how are you?”
Young blonde hooker passed by me
brushing her voluptuousness
languidly against my back
voice as sweet as honey
dripping with innocence and
I, in my mid-sixties
took this as a compliment
even though it came from
the promiscuous and cunning lips
of the young blonde hooker
my brain reeled
in the clutches of alcohol
philosophical thoughts
and unexpected comparisons
The young hierodule
for a few dollars
could provide my sexual release
the casino
for a fistful of dollars
sold me the ephemeral joy
of machine combinations
the luck of the draw
and hope
and the other hierodule
the greatest
which for a few dollars more
sells to its innumerable Johns
the safety of Heaven.
Manolis Aligizakis 