a family of magicians
wear tuxedos
–even the baby–
have squirting flowers
in their coat lapels
and rabbits for pets
mom is the one to get sawn
in two by dad
night after night
though when he is out of town
his understudy puts his hands
to the blade
grampa goes in the woven basket
while gramma drives in swords
one after another
always asking about the salad
was it all right
and where did he put her
social security check
i do the rope trick
climb it every night
and wait for the disassembly
that is bound to repeat
——
Words and Feathers 