V. H. King's Ink

Bonefire Tarot Deck || 8 of Wands; The Fool; Knight of Swords; (5 of Swords); 6 of Cups; (8 of Coins)

Despite my tendency to bite my arm off, someday
you will find me reaching for gentleness. I can’t
always chew up my bleeding heart; I guess it’s high
time I spit out my self-hatred and wipe my mouth
on my sleeve. I’ve never liked wearing much white,
but this Black skin shows my joys just fine . I like

the ways I’m learning to make room for all those
dreams I kept buried in the back of my head,
the bottom of my heart, stock-piled side-by-side
with my determination to prove I could do it all
on my own. Alone is where I thought it got me,
but in reality I’ve got more within and around me
than I let myself realize. So here’s to looking up,

raising my faith, dancing in the long sunset
of a glorious held note from songs beyond this world
while the chorus of all my romanced regrets
are released on a wind that cleanses the grime off
my marrow and gives clarity to my tomorrows.
A little stretch never fails to ease the ache in my neck

so I can look forward to the memories I’ll cherish
this time next decade. My composition has been shifting
with the constitution of my spiritbody; I’m finding
my ratio of punishment to presence is recalibrating.
Some people count their blessings but I’m choosing
them instead; and some people say happiness is a choice
but what if it’s more like a humming bird? A bright fancy

flitting in the corner of my eye, something I count
myself lucky to have caught in my sights? One good omen
begets the endeavor to change the environment, putting
out a feeder just in case. And then there is that pink
anticipation of catching anything in the corner of my eye;
the infectious excitement of Will it visit? Maybe bring a friend?
And when I find squirrels instead of birds, am I

not still delighted? Do I yet find myself laughing
at the antics of chipmunks and butterflies?
There is no disappointment in this but rather the quiet
gratitude for having the chance to observe little wonders
in a world that is much bigger than myself; far be it
from me to deny the small parts I play in this

cosmology of rabbits and robins. So help me to slow
down long enough to know my smallness and rejoice
in the enduring mortality and divine mystery
of all things. May I free my conscience to embrace
these blessings, where my heart resounds with
everything that echoes my calling.