Las Vegas

A glitter outshining the night sky

we saw from a hilltop beside the road—

too tired to drive, had stopped to rest

and look at the heavens, saw this instead—

lamps, lamps and lamps on gambling,

neon fouling eternity,

winding rows of creeping

headlights, adding to the city glow,

along with every new-struck match

and drawn cigarette, each bracelet,

locket, trembling sequin, false-white smile

and ring of gold, pearls, gems—

it was all against God,

to anyone wanting to look up.