Tonight’s trick won’t surprise you
It’s been over a century since she’s made her debut.
Aquarium-like glass pens, many have tried
to peer through and uncover the conspicuous secret.
Forever the assistant, she holds the props,
waiting for the cue to enter the box.
She is split in two with bloodless violence—
all the while, smiling.
Only my tights and heels catch the spotlight’s rays.
Contorted, pocket mirror, mind wandering in the box’s stale haze
Hoping, in my favourite fishnets, to hear applause on the other end
And wondering why they don’t saw men in half