Chance: Six From a Tarot

1

The yeast did not bloom
and the dough did not rise,
or the fire did not fix
the current in the air—

2

The hills were blue
and then they were fire
for when we lay upon them
their ice caps melted—

3

The hummingbirds must live
on the nectar of stones—
Have you seen ruby or green
tendrils marking their throats?

4

And the child stirred coals
to life in the grate,
then left food in the bowl
which the cat then ate—

5

Years later, the letter
arrived at the wrong address,
so the woman in the window waited
till she could sigh no more—

6

A man emerged from exile
of many years to marvel at the stars:
for each one hung above, he tucked
its twin into a sleeve of water—

In response to Via Negativa: Gambler.