elevatoring up to the
second floor toy department
we sit cross-legged
before a wondrous
                                    stage of lights
exciting amazement!
                                    in a flash it's
the world-famous wizardly stunning
Merlin: conjurer of magic
and ventriloquism!      – hello
                                    – hello, tap the hat
and out jumps Long Ears the rabbit,
between his feet a sleight-of-hand card
tricked jack of diamonds,
                                    sleeves
ruffle to unfurl hand-
kerchief after handkerchief    – red
                                               – yellow
                                               – purple
                                               – blue
juggling skittles of plastic
          colours twirl swirly-whirlings,
                    paper bouquets
                              flowers a fluttering
white-tailed dove, metal rings levitate
behind velvety curtains
                                    fireballs
blaze transfixing us until spell-bound
                      gliding across the platform
in a golden dress the magician's assistant
steps inside the glass booth and
abracadabra –
                              she disappears