the gamble

everything happens in its own time
author of every riddle and rhyme
will you witness the following lines
a record written and in kind remind

the gamble

you’ve made a gambler out of me
rolled the dice on sheets of ice
letting go when losing control
waltzing across the broken snow
parallel lines spiraling in sync
swinging to the mountain brink
winter skies in your collected eyes
read threads binding evergreen rings
haloed trees dripping diamond eaves
wind candied rime to crystalline leaves
falling turned to mandarin wings
— love, you have set me free

you’ve made a gambler out of me
every wheel spun without restraint
emptied of all that I could lose
secluded in your warm recluse
fire sustained by your embrace
rose red waxing white moon nights
burning clarity in waning sight
no one else needs to understand
the words unwritten, plans deferred
rooms hidden, my dreams interred
reborn from a full house of hands
— love, you believe in me

you’ve made a diviner out of me
I’ve counted the cards correctly
two single columns data defined a set
two circles met and aligned to bet
equal and eternal aren’t too many
eleven and eight so lucky it’s true
happiness is the courage to choose
you each moment who fill my mind
my vows are stronger than my pride
across an ocean or three lifetimes
I will find you on the other side

When heaven has lost its reason
When earth has no more seasons
I will trace ashen steps to shared destiny
I will shape heavy streams to sweet melody
hang your lantern burnished bold
hold your soul in the weary cold
In the future and in the untold
Verses unburdened, yet to unfold

love, you are my only