Hands of Chance


form shadow puppets, shallow spirits
hidden souls born

skip across the evening piano, speeding allegro
fleeting little song

pour firewater liquors, for the tipplers
morning's remorse

scar canvas with dark crayon, art seance
exquisite corpse

flick the card deck, bar bet
conjure lost kings

light his cigarette, fingers pirouette
now his heart sings


Chance, this little god
hands, of mortal blood



First published in Apeiron Review