Stopping at the Winners Inn and Casino Winnemucca, Nevada

You feel the heft of the glass door

when you push it open, relieved

to be safe from a blast of dust

blowing across the parking lot.

You hesitate.  Your eyes adjust 

to the darkened room, just past noon.

You turn toward the laughter.  Three folks

at the far end of the bar are turned 

away.  You think it might be nice--

at your age, anyway--to be

a day drinker-- convivial.

You would swap stories.  You think,

They would listen.

Of course, you are an old woman

in a wrinkled shirt, carrying

a large handbag.  No one sees you.

You find the ladies room, and then

you hesitate, thinking you might 

sit in front of a slot machine,

at least for a little while.

Instead, you head for your car.