i’ve gambled on shadows
bet on whispers that faded at dawn
held my hand against the table’s edge
afraid to ante up for more
the house always wins
they said
as though joy were a rigged game
a wheel spinning to nowhere
but tonight
with trembling fingers
i lay down all i have
dreams i dared not speak aloud
the weight of every almost
every not quite yet
the air shifts
a hush a pause
a moment thick with risk and promise
and then
against all odds
happiness smiles back
it’s not the jackpot
not fireworks or a grand parade
but a steady warmth in the chest
the quiet click of a lock undone
i’ve wagered on light this time
on the sun that rises without fail
on the laughter i hear in the distance
growing closer now
for once
i bet on myself
and the deal feels true