knowing it’s foolish, I ask the cards
if I will be okay. the big Okay.
    any opposition will be defeated. courage
    in the face of attack or adversity
    that cannot be removed.

I grin at Evelyn. it’s the last of five cards
and I placed it at the top. I shuffle
and put one card down. I’m asking
about you.
    the face suggests that of a dark woman
    whose qualities might be summed up
    in the idea of greatness of soul.
          she has also the serious cast of intelligence.
I make a rainbow of my mouth.
              she contemplates her symbol and may see
              worlds therein.
Evelyn asks me what I want from you. maybe
it’s nothing now. maybe to see you
a few more times.
                    opulence, magnificence, generosity,
                                                                      security,
                                                                              liberty.