he tells no one
his plans
at the hotel 
by the interstate
where he works 
the front desk 

his mother drives him
to the airport
her vape
on a chain 
around her neck
half-asleep

he checks three
sunglasses
cough drops
lip balm
and deep stacks
of money

his plane lifts over
keeneland
calumet
he watches bluegrass
fall away below

he hopes to hold
play deep
better than last year
watch for
dealer error
weak players

cards are important
luck, essential
he flies over
the desert
practices breathing
and thinking of her:

the little possum under
the rose bush
in the parking lot
this morning
eating a pizza slice
soft and feral and scared