Masters of Illusion

The Masters of Illusion perform

Before your very eyes.

Their clever tricks will astound you--

Watch for each surprise.

 

Their skillful tactics mesmerize

And seem to entertain.

Caught off guard, you overlook

Their verbal legerdemain.

 

Artists in deception, they

Require a double take.

Upon scrutinizing them,

You see that they are fake.

 

They love to pull something out of a hat.

Notice as they grab it:

Hey! A corporate tax loophole!

That is NOT a rabbit!

 

When caught in their own traps they can

Mysteriously disappear

And suddenly show up again

When the coast is clear.

 

Cutting things in half occurs

Before the curtain call.

You hardly notice that they're robbing

Peter to pay Paul.

 

There's always something up their sleeve--

Sort of a bait and switch.

A promise might end up being

Tax cuts for the rich.

 

Be careful when they smile and say

They want to be your friend.

That's just a ploy; you'll see that

They'll screw you in the end.

 

Once they pull out their deck of cards,

You see that they've embarked

On a new, crafty, deceptive path.

(Their cards are usually marked.)

 

They never fail to beguile and amaze--

These Masters of Illusion.

Just know you're always being duped;

But that's a foregone conclusion.

(11-19-15)