The Magician

It’s time to disappear

in order to make 

the crowd go wild

in order to feel the applause

rock the stage 

with its waves

half of magic is

in the eyes

the hypnotism of the gaze

weighted with my will

to have you see

what I want to set on display 

that I may pass through

or beneath 

all that I wish to conceal 

the other half of magic 

is in the breath

the patter

the trick of saying 

what is happening 

see how my hands are empty 

see how there is nothing

inside the cabinet

while I tell you the secrets 

my hands are busy

flipping over cups 

to show there is nothing 

beneath them and I am

pulling scarves and doves

out of thin air 

all this time 

the truth of me is 

standing before you 

where you cannot see it.

The Magician from the Rider-Waite tarot deck.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Magician_(Tarot_card)#/media/File:RWS_Tarot_01_Magician.jpg