the fool

a poem inspired by the tarot card - the fool

“but what if i fall?”

a fledgling bird, hidden
where the sunlight cannot touch me
my mother, twisting hazel
has never told me that it burns

but i know the story of
those that fly too close
so it’s better to let the
darkness take hold
envelope me in ink-jet, fireproof night

but it’s not, i know this
i want to see the stars
tell hushed secrets to the moon
watch as the world sets fire
for twelve hours, or thereabouts

so she coaxes me out
with honeyed promises
as i perch on the branch
that no longer holds -

“icarus fell, yes
but you have wings
borne not of waxen feathers
but starburst hearts”

the precipice
blank canvas
nineteen ninety nine
dawn breaks,