The lid is opened and
I spring forth, twirling
And spinning to the sound of
Dainty music in the background.
My dance is cut short, the lid is shut.
The bauble is chosen.

The acrobat on the tightrope
Teeters with each step.
There is no net.
The crowd gasps.

A crystalline echo
Reverberates off the canyon walls.
No one hears the screams.

An incandescent butterfly
Flutters over a log in the twilight.
A night owl swoops from on high
And devours it as day gives way to night.
The meadow is silent.

Notebooks full of death,
A gun in his bag.
This boy--
Who is this boy
With bruises on his face
And scars down his wrist?

BANG.

Famous. Nameless.

Jesus hovers, peace written in his smile.

Turvy-topsy,
Windwhirl
Up-down through the rabbit hole.

Mushroom tea-gardens,
"Eat me," "Drink me,"
The world is downside-up.

Clusterfucks of growing and shrinking,
Dum-Tweedle and Dee-Tweedle guide/block;
Cheshire's smile mocks from above.

Twisters, misters, no sisters.
Confusion reigns supreme.
OFF WITH HER HEAD!

Purposely oblique,
My heart and mind seek
Love.

Purposely oblique,
My heart and mind wreak
Havoc.

Purposely oblique,
My heart and mind bespeak
Understanding.

Purposely oblique,
My heart and mind critique
Everything.