flicker, pixelate.
wasn't there before but now
so bright I shield my eyes of it
like the ace of a sleeve, pulled to conceal
a fate, a tragedy.
you're caught in arachne's web
because the leaves of Eden won't shield you
while the sun won't always shine
but you count on it to, it did today so it will tomorrow
you base your logic off what you know
gesture. Your gloved fingers tell me nothing, sorcerer.
untouchable to seemingless silk
and your fabric flows like water over the river stones,
every move so carefully constructed
daylight vanishing over the hand you've dealt.
Cabaret. Paid for wine spilled, whiskey.
Your illusive nature, only for one night, haunting presence.
so you'll slip away again, into the darkness
pulling back
the tides never to relent again
the same three notes on repeat, the song in my head,
casino, do you hear me?
with those sparking eyes, throwing off light
your goal to distract, to amaze
and your gloved silk glistens with tears in the night
so you'll tip your hat, to the thundering of your latest audience
but your audience are the people you talk to
you are the actor, putting on a show so they don't suspect
what you know, that your hands are empty
while your head is nothing but, always thinking, choosing, planning
and you digress, brush off, reassure, backstab, assassinate with ease
if looks could kill, you'd be a murderer twenty times over.
if your eyes are daggers, your movements rough as running water
so you bow, curtsy, head backstage, silver tongue.
the show is over, you resume, conductor on your very own steam train
but the steam train is the party
and you've reached the caboose
so try not to drown in the booze, the essence of misted night fill your flask
don't let it corrupt you, traveler, as it corrupts many others.
live to love another day, to tip your hat to a roaring crowd, show off.
twirl your coins, your card games, magic tricks.
magician's hands, cut off the fingers, a stub remains
just as you remain, sorcerer, something your crowds will never forget.
