I remember the day
you told me you were a magician

I laughed
said the only magic trick you could do
was disappearing into corners
that no wall dared to cast a shadow upon
looks like you proved me wrong.

You lay cards for traps
with their edges sharp with words
because you knew I couldn’t resist flipping
them over
looking at what you hid

You took a rope
danced around my neck
knowing that I wouldn’t escape
(I could never bear to cut dead knots)

But your greatest talent
was still in feigning a smile
confusing even your own words
with a sleight of heart