I was playing 3-person Hearts

and, for once, not even thinking of you.

 

To my right was my dead father,

to my left, Death himself. I couldn’t see his face

but his hands were white and thin.

 

I wanted dad to win, so I gave him all my high-cards:

Ace of Hearts

King of Hearts

Queen of Hearts

 

Predictably, I lost quickly, so I left the table.

Upon waking, I realized

in order to cheat Death

I had given you away.