Phlegethon

We’re gleaning 

alongside the river of fire 

under the earth

picking up coals of inspiration 

and burning our fingers 

underfoot the path is laid

with the bones of the 

long dead

but so it always is

when we mortals

build palaces.

I work on both ends

charting the course

through the empyrean 

for us to follow 

and laying bricks

one at a time 

for the foundation 

I love to dream

but I am probably better

at brick making.

The cards 

that I keep turning over 

in this endeavor

are the King of Wands

the guidebook says

this charismatic and fiery soul

will bring vitality 

and epic success to the job

of building

an empire of light,

and all the pentacles

for every kind of wealth.

Never in my life before 

have I had this spread

of cards before me 

line up over and over 

saying

creativity / abundance  

giving back wealth

replenishing / inspiration 

success in difficult endeavors

astonishing victory

and so 

I brace my feet on the floor

and hope that feeling of lifting off

from the earth

is coming.