Damn the Chinese Stick

Damn the Chinese Stick
@aladreth antoinette brown

you were the nurse
who knew better

***

you always came to me
every Wednesday
for your fortune

you'd pull from the
ghost cup a red tip,
do a dance wishing
with your eyes
like a little girl,

and if you didn't like
the fortune I would read
in rhyming voice
you would put it back
and beg me to let you
pick again.

Today when I was told
you were going to die -
(one of our doctors said
you had every known
illegal drug
in your system
when you were found
unresponsive on the floor)

I pulled your stick for you,
hoping number 45
would be something good,
something that would tell me
something different,
something positive

I read it quietly and alone,
it didn't say anything about
your liver and kidneys shutting down,
your mother apologizing for your
bad behaviour,
or massive heart attacks
and brain swelling,

No ...
It talked about a dark lover
being jealous of you,
The stick talked about working
in metal,
mining and trade industries.

It talked about taking a day of rest
and not overworking yourself mentally ...

And then it said, and
I'm so sorry, dear,

"Getting your wish is doubtful."