April 19

Trick

The magician laughs--his teeth twist
and glint like a skeleton key. He holds her
mouth open: empty. He produces an egg, vanishes
it down her throat. Then a lime, a pair of golf
balls. Item after item he flourishes and sticks
between her lips; an iron, an empty pair
of socks. She stands, bows,
and walks off the stage.

The audience decides it was probably sleight of hand.