Lost Vegas
Prove to me the light rains
When strings and people fold
Accidents through fraction splice
Inferno flames you froze
Flails of neon ghosting
Spewing high-beam wires
Apocalypse unwitting
Incandescent drivers
For had all come to waiting
As life were bursting free
Magician waves her hand to try
Lost Vegas now my dreams
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November 30, 2010 at 1:24 pm
You weave a fascinating structure of words! Always so well done! “Lost” Vegas…often many wish to visit…however not sure it’d be my forte of dreams π ~Excellent work! ~April π
November 30, 2010 at 1:38 pm
April, you know the old cliche: It’s a nice place to visit, but…. lol Sensory overload to me. Still, the lighting is majestic and fun to just wave a camera around π
November 30, 2010 at 1:31 pm
I really like this one Adam! I’ve been to Las Vegas and seen those ‘incandescent drivers’ :-0 and the ‘flails of neon ghosting’! Love the accompanying image too:-) Las Vegas really should be a mirage – but it isnt….:-)
November 30, 2010 at 1:46 pm
Lynda, thought you might like the image. It’s definitely no mirage… except for the resort of that name π cheers
November 30, 2010 at 1:50 pm
Meant to comment on the cool image! Certainly a fascinating capture with streamlining colors, I can see the camera enjoyment!!! π
November 30, 2010 at 2:05 pm
When I think of Las Vegas , I think about money that it would cost to just visit there. LOL Although I do love the beautiful colorful lights. Your poem as always my friend is just simply awesome. Did you have a nice Thanksgiving? Hugs and love Vi
November 30, 2010 at 2:42 pm
I did have a nice Thanksgiving, Vi. Must have been a tough one for you this year. Hope you enjoyed the company of family. Me, think I gained a pound from turkey and beer. lol Cheers, my friend π
November 30, 2010 at 3:13 pm
Never been there myself… ut i guess it must be , be felt that way… if you say say… greatly too
π
November 30, 2010 at 3:32 pm
It was a tough one Adam, but my daughter and I open our home up to those who didn’t have family or friends to spend that day with. I cooked for two days, and with keeping busy, and having a house full of people helped my family and me get through the day. My guests even put up my Christmas Lights and decorated my tree. Hugs and Love Vi
November 30, 2010 at 9:22 pm
Sounds like good company π Nice of you to open your home to new friends.
November 30, 2010 at 5:07 pm
It’s Blackpool but more glamarous? Sensory overload, described beautifully Adam.
November 30, 2010 at 5:19 pm
I must agree with Shanellis…sensory comes to mind when I think of Las Vegas and place like it….nicely stated.
November 30, 2010 at 5:20 pm
Is there any place on earth as unreal as Vegas? Your poem captures the sensory overload I felt when visiting. It’s like falling into a kaleidoscope.
November 30, 2010 at 5:34 pm
The poem is so much like the pic you chose–twisting incandescence, colored candy sticks of light and mood. Very much the feel of Las Vegas, which I have about the same opinion of as Stephen King did in The Stand, the place the devil will come when it’s that time. π
November 30, 2010 at 9:21 pm
The Stand is amazing. Thank You! π
November 30, 2010 at 5:57 pm
You know, I would normally hate when my camera does that…but it fits nicely here, nice lead-in to the image of the poem. Strong wordplay and description – sounds a touch like madness setting in. Fabulous…and I’m pondering now all the crazy things that might happen just waving my camera around in Vegas.
November 30, 2010 at 6:01 pm
Every time I visit Vegas, it’s different. I went there first before the lights. The strip was just two or three motels with gaming rooms. Only 16, I was left to play penny slots outside the Golden Horseshoe after 5 while my mother tried her luck as 21 (not much).
When I was there the last time, the taxi driver said…Oh those were the Mafia days. Every boss in town knew you were there and you were never safer in your life. It is worth it for the pictures, Adam, and the people. I hate to gamble. Love this work and your photo. Gay
November 30, 2010 at 9:19 pm
You’ve some of the best stories I’ve heard. I hate to gamble too, & i don’t count career risks in that category, though perhaps my problem is I should. lol
November 30, 2010 at 6:39 pm
Vegas has to be one of the most unique places I’ve ever been. Where else could Cher pull down a three-year gig for $60 million?
I especially like your two opening lines, and the perfect title.
November 30, 2010 at 9:12 pm
lol I cannot believe anyone makes that much money.
November 30, 2010 at 6:59 pm
Lost Vegas, how true. It’s not a place I would feel comfortable visiting. I prefer the quiet life.
November 30, 2010 at 7:02 pm
Sensory overload, indeed. There is nothing sensual about LV but you bring it to life. Well done.
November 30, 2010 at 7:13 pm
love the title….that is exactly how I see Las Vegas…lost and cold…do not like it …people can have their dreams there…I prefet to avoid it….bkm
November 30, 2010 at 7:21 pm
Strong locale-centric work. Love the line “apocalypse unwitting”!
November 30, 2010 at 7:47 pm
Aahh.. well worded!! And very very apt too! I still remember.. the first time I landed in Vegas, I was so “lost”! Bedazzled, yes.. but sooooo lost! Just like the rest of the city.. lost in its own lights π
I guess I do like my quietude after all..
Beautiful poem, Adam.. you have a way of bringing out the innermost feelings with such few words!! Quite a knack!
November 30, 2010 at 7:55 pm
Yes, it was nice to visit but even better to go back home! However, the lights are incredible. Lots of great imagery in this poem!
November 30, 2010 at 8:03 pm
very nice! liked it very much!
thank you
November 30, 2010 at 8:06 pm
“Lost Vegas.” Fun play on words.
So, you tried to write a villanelle the other day? Did it happen? Where is it now? π
November 30, 2010 at 9:16 pm
in the garbage. lol L.L., I used to write lots of villanelles. All the time. I was in the mindset to write them then, sonnets tooβ3-5 yrs. ago. Many are in my book, and I wish I could revise all of them! lol The other day, just wasn’t feeling the form. I’ll try a few more… usually that block is quick to fade. Cheers π
November 30, 2010 at 9:44 pm
Wow!
November 30, 2010 at 10:25 pm
very well painted..
nice work π
November 30, 2010 at 10:37 pm
You create such a surreal visual image with your words. Never been to Vegas, but you certainly make it seem fascinating.
Mine is here. http://razzamadazzle.wordpress.com/2010/11/30/two-souls/
December 1, 2010 at 2:14 am
Vegas is place I have never been and doubt I ever will go, I’m a country girl.
Great poem Adam, the imagery in your words give me a clear vision of Vegas.
Anita.
December 1, 2010 at 4:49 am
Brilliant description Adam,haven’t been to vegas..but i got the image of Flails of neon ghosting
Spewing high-beam wires
Apocalypse unwitting
Incandescent drivers
rang bells in my head..i enjoy your prespective always my friend..interesting and marvellous picture π
cheers from the rose π
December 1, 2010 at 5:05 am
Nice one Adam.
Its a very interesting slant on a vegas poem.
I’ve read a few before.
Though your words probably captured my idea of Vegas best
December 1, 2010 at 5:16 am
‘Inferno flames you froze’
Great the way you weave words together
December 1, 2010 at 5:21 am
Wild picture fitting for the city of lights. Great wording and image building to the place of lights.
December 1, 2010 at 6:25 am
that image is so trippymodern-cool and teh words painted it poetically
December 1, 2010 at 7:39 am
Wow…tight and absorbing imagery/poetry.
I have only been there once, two years ago, and I hated it. A concrete city, and only came to life at night….All those Lights!
Your poetry, which really sings when I heard your voice….captured this Lost city perfectly.
Good job!
Lady Nyo
December 1, 2010 at 7:48 am
Excellent image, excellent poem. You captured the overbearing pulse of experiencing Las Vegas very well.
December 1, 2010 at 8:15 am
Vegas never appealed to me but the lights in which you describe do.
December 1, 2010 at 8:57 am
Vegas!!Glittering Lights…Expensive Dreams!Never been to it,but the photo you used and the words you wrote gave me a glimpse of Vegas!
Thanks for sharing ,Dusutus!
December 1, 2010 at 9:43 am
Real sorry for the typo!I meant to write Dustus.Hope it’s ok if I call you Adam next time!My sincere apology for the mistake.
June
December 1, 2010 at 9:50 am
As always Adam, great piece. Nice one shot. Love and Light, Sender
December 1, 2010 at 10:16 am
I remember thinking Las Vegas was called “Lost Vegas” when I was a kid. (I also remember “The Long Ranger” – sounds like a porn star!) Nice One Shot, Adam!
December 1, 2010 at 10:56 am
Lost Vegas is right! Very well done–enjoyed this.
December 1, 2010 at 11:28 am
Sure such places are camera’s delight !! Wonderful words to go with the image π
December 1, 2010 at 11:50 am
I love your creativity. It is vivid and true.
December 1, 2010 at 11:53 am
Never been there, seeing power failure in your lines. Seeing movement in your image. Eye opening.
December 1, 2010 at 1:28 pm
Haven’t been to Vegas in a long time. Your lovely poem depicts it well.
December 1, 2010 at 1:37 pm
Wonderful Muse to come up with this…and the photo prompt was delightful.
Cheers!
December 1, 2010 at 1:45 pm
the light rains…just as in your pic…i LOVE the light rains…slow shutter..?
December 1, 2010 at 7:27 pm
Hey Claudia! Exactly. Was reading about trick photography and looking at examples.
Hmm… wondering if the iPhone can capture light streaks well. hint hint. lol π
cheers!
December 1, 2010 at 3:25 pm
Great poem! Still want to go though. All those lights look like magic.
December 1, 2010 at 3:51 pm
Never been there myselfβ¦ and it is not on my βmust doβ list.
Nice writing
cheers π
December 1, 2010 at 7:02 pm
Wow, that shot is so cool! And the poem so fitting. I really enjoyed this One Shot.
December 1, 2010 at 11:21 pm
You so vividly conjure in this poem what stays in the mind’s eye after a few nights in Las Vegas. But I love how the rhythm in the madness comes alive, too, in your poem. I recall the vastness crowded by “flails of neon ghosting” the memory as well. Thank you, Adam!
December 1, 2010 at 11:39 pm
hi dustus…nice poem for the city of vegas… And by the way thanks for a lovely comment
December 1, 2010 at 11:51 pm
I could so be there at the moment. Fun place. Nice One Shot.
December 2, 2010 at 1:29 am
ahhh Las Vegas! Some call it “lost wages” love the word play — nice imagery in here as well. Nicely done!
December 2, 2010 at 6:34 am
I’m back, and it’s clear that you have not lost your touch in the time I’ve been away. I especially loved the line: ‘Flails of neon ghosting’. Impressive word imagery there, my friend. π
December 2, 2010 at 11:09 am
Never been to LV, but you’ve left quite a vision in my head π that photo is very cool…
December 2, 2010 at 1:19 pm
I like Caty have never been to LV, USA for that matter, but loved your vision and poem Dustus
December 2, 2010 at 8:53 pm
This is both a haunting and an adventure! Your wordplay is so fun. and, of course, the title is just the bomb. Thanks for stopping to see me over at the Wellspring and encourage me in my first time at One Shot Wed. π
December 2, 2010 at 10:07 pm
Cool, Laura. Hope you enjoyed your first One Shot.
Appreciate everyone taking the time to comment. Your respective works and talents inspire me to be a more focused writer.
Cheers π
December 3, 2010 at 10:40 am
Neon ghosting…LOVE IT!
Thanks for this one shot!
retrieval
December 3, 2010 at 3:49 pm
I have a certain view of Las Vegas as a 16 year old who just saw lots of lights and desperate people. Didn’t care for the place then and don’t care for it now. One relative extolled its charms by saying, “It has its own Effiel tower.” Why should I care after seeing the real one? iLLUSSION en masse.
Love the photogrpah!
December 4, 2010 at 5:50 pm
Hello, my friend. Interesting, I think your 16 yr. impressions of Vegas are similar to the ones I had of Atlantic City growing up. No la tour eiffel in Jersey, yet. lol In my opinion the only good that could come out of that hypothetical would be a Springsteen song. lol And youβre rightβ¦ I donβt get people sometimes. Why did The House of Blues just pop into mind? lol Always enjoy your visits!
December 3, 2010 at 4:56 pm
You certainly are both an artist and writer. I have been to LOST Vegas many times and loved the lights, and no time, no limits LOL but I try not to go to often. Great Work. Thanks for sharing this wonder. Nancy
December 4, 2010 at 5:53 pm
LOL It can seem overwhelming when light, time, and limits change! For sure. Thank you, Nancy, for your very kind words π