The gypsy turned a blue card up,
the card of seventeen.
Silver-sweetened words splashed out
the dream of what she'd seen:
I see a star and a secret pool
between the dry trees dying,
I see two pitchers pouring out
the water of birth and drowning;
and last, I see as I grow hoarse
the truth there is in lying.
~December 2015
posted for real toads
Process note: The Star is the 17th card of the Major Arcana in the Tarot, and signifies one's dreams and aspirations.
Images public domain
Ok, now I want you to write something for every major Arcana card! Seriously! I would love it!
ReplyDeleteWow. Tight write, my friend. I envisioned the two streams, pouring, as I read.
ReplyDeleteWow! You've weaved some amazing imagery in such a short poem!
ReplyDeleteInspired! Loved this!
ReplyDeleteI'm always blown away when you employ a "simple" rhyme scheme. You do it so flawlessly. This combines gorgeous imagery with the wit of a woman who has seen more than her share of marks.
ReplyDeleteHey Joy-- wonderfully lyrical and mystical too-- great ironies going on-- the water's dual nature and the duality of so much. A lot of fun in its gypsish and serious way. Thanks. K.
ReplyDeleteAlso I know nothing of tarot but 17 seems to me a dangerous age! K.
ReplyDeleteha ha. with all the rhyming, it had to be true, right? a beautiful lie
ReplyDeleteI have never had a reading .. I am intrigued now.
ReplyDelete"the truth there is in lying" I love that.
ReplyDelete'the truth in lying'... that hits hard.
ReplyDeleteThe seer harrowed by her own foresight becomes a seasoned witch. Temperance when in the bone-pool is a defiance of the cards. Maybe cured of one's own desire to see? "Waters of birth and drowning" is, um, stellar.
ReplyDeleteThanks, B. The tagline to this rose into my dream-brain awhile back all by itself and seemed to have no context--it took this picture to sort of solidify it--not every lie is wrong, just as not every witch is good. Or something.
DeleteThe art of every fortune telling is a lie that's true... after all she has to make her money. You have captured that perfectly (and I'm not surprised you choose that picture). AND Lying and dying is a perfect pair.
ReplyDeleteI love the line about truth and lying!
ReplyDeletePoliticians will tell you that if you tell a lie often enough, it will be accepted as a form of truth. How many tarot readers must temper what they saw in the cards, must buffer it--& do they doubt the cards after so many false readings, or view them as a fact check, an emotional weather report. It is up to each of us to decide if we are going to wear a hat when warned of a coming shit storm.
ReplyDeleteThis is pure witchery! I love the final paradox.
ReplyDeleteOh no, I've said too much....haven't said enough....
ReplyDeletewhat B said. ~
ReplyDelete