Dance of All Directions

   Die: singular of dice, from Latin datum “something given or played”

I tossed it into the shallows,
the little green cube I found by the lake,
not wishing to know the number of dots
on whichever face landed upright.
I don’t believe in random outcomes
and I’d rather enjoy surprises.

But then I wanted it back, that die,
its corners smoothed by time or fingers.
I realized that, despite disdain,
there was a question underneath I threw for,
one I neatly sidestepped with my toss.
I waded in to retrieve it,
but every pebble shone like a die..

How could I search without disturbing
the way the numbers landed on the lakebed?
And do the faces really have an equal chance?
Do I truly want to know
just how many spaces I might move ahead?
I stood quite still. And then I spied it,
the six of exuberance on the little green die.

Of course! I had to laugh
at all the machinations, enirely mine.
Outcomes, by the moment, countless.
Affirmed by the finding, I travel on
in the dance of all directions.
I leave the little green cube in the lake
and step to shore, for the next surprise.

©Susa Silvermarie 2025