a trick played once, quite dazzling

when the enchantment is great!

puppets move as if of own volition,

a clown becomes laughter of the party

even though it pulls the strings

and an enraptured audience sways like

willow trees, flexible, undaunted to each

seemingly impossible task.

bend again, crack a smile, crack a wall

though it does not come tumbling down,

not when chants of the devout rise to the fastidious

errand boys required to do biddings

but the blank stares, raucous laughter fill the room

quite saturated with bodies nudging each other –

all caught up in this hell of a party.

what’s the catch?

everyone enjoys a good show, a good time,

nothing is amiss, or so it seems … … till

the clown unmask, strings finally pierce the heart.

a rude awakening, no more smiles, no more of a

good show for it is collection time of a play

that went a little deeper, past flesh.

nudge, nudge: now the adversaries came,

to point out what had been evident,

no one listened then, it was good times remember?

of a stage, of a true cost – not just the time spent

and money knowingly given.

adversaries marking the road to sanctuary,

conveniently ignored.

for the clown was the life of the party, merriment

is better than suffering or so it seems at first,

till the heart bled out, the soul left to permanent limbo.

it was one hell of a passage through time:

that did not look like fire and brimstone.

if it did, no one would have entered the tunnel,

the call is seductive, alluring, playful, “a g o o d time”

promises the ticket master

to all adventurous folks seeking a way out of boredom.

then the strings snapped,

the key turned, locked at the entrance

then it became widely known

how free men willingly gave up life to become prisoners.

it was remarkable,

it was enligthening,

it was a play to be replayed.

even when residues are seen,

evidence not ever completely erased,

echoes of regret, h u n g r y ghost try to tell

but the travelers were eager for a slice

of life. anything that sparkles … …

and who wouldn’t buy what is plain and evident?

not you,

not me,

it is quite the enchantment

wouldn’t you say?