I have always liked card decks; the back designs, the face cards (especially the Jokers) and even the history behind them. For example, I had read the King of Hearts represents King Charlemagne.
I imagine if the face cards could talk, the stories they could tell.
I have written several poems incorporating playing card characters. Perhaps subconsciously, I just want to give them a voice.
Dusting For Prince
8.6.2013
(Chorus)
I am the joker
I am wild
And the tale I weave
By no means mild
I like to spice it up
Because zing is my style
Then toss the hot cards
Right back on the pile
I am the joker
And I am wild
You cannot catch royalty
By dusting for prince
And though, when you check
Find a lack of evidence
Find a king in the deck
But only your fingerprints
Royal-less remain
No closer to Charlemagne
For it is only the king of hearts
With a heart
But the king in this account
Has none at the start
Least none I can account
A novel idea
For a novel undone
But by the time
I finish writing
You may just find one
Because…
(Repeat chorus)
Though you cannot catch royalty
By dusting for prince
I can scratch at reality
Relieve the itch to make sense
Until royal-less remain
Still even further
From Charlemagne
The paradigm leaves you
Back where it all starts
The draw leaves you holding
The king of all hearts
