It's Still Life

Her mother counts pennies,
grapes in a bag,
pages in a book.

More is better—
she heard that somewhere.

Her father says
double yolks are magic,

“Eggs are quieter than hens,”
and moonlight quiets a dream
because it sweeps the stars.

Words of war wrap the house,

a bitter path,
the cards are cast
and signs read.

Desk, plough, forge,
besom or broom,
chant 3, chant 6, then 9.

Words are war: my mum.
My father: words are magic.

I am on quiet’s edge,
taken myself
into myself.

I am a book not to be read.
I am a page not to be turned.

Throw 3 cards.
Throw 7.
Candle scrying on the water.

I am 12.
I pack 2 oranges
and a sandwich,
and found myself in Sweden.

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10 words from the Oracle worked two ways. a.i. image. Poems/prose ©Misky 2006-2025.