the special show

Pins and needles
set in
as I began to wonder
if I got the special show
or if this was routine

I looked around for signs of which one
it was
but it’s harder to tell what’s fake
anymore

There was juggling
and illusions
and lots of pageantry
But that’s how all shows start
I couldn’t help notice
that everyone else looked
the other way
when you swallowed fire

I seemed to be
the only one
who noticed the trick

Granted, my seat was far away
and it was hard for me
to make out
every word you said
But I swore I heard you say
not to worry
I swore I heard you say
this was special

But con artists say that to everyone
and maybe I was
the shortest
long con
Because I paid
full price
for a seat that had
an obstructed view
and I never
asked for my money back
because the admission was
free