Deal

Have you ever lost a card game so badly

you pause?  The lengthening break brings

witness to all that has crowded nights

and clamored days.

The footbridge to escape?  Blocked. 

In this silence you are isolated – reminded that reflections

are not reality –

only twelve pages each round

and shredding one can deafen.

Losing punctuates instability, but a moment –

not end stop.