Let it be known,
I knew he wasn’t to be trusted.
The way he fanned cards
in front of my face, and read
my eyes like the deck.
Every word a flower in his mouth,
each smile a scarf up his sleeve.
He moved much faster than me;
talked air to gold coins beside my ear.
Let it be known,
I expected misdirection.
His house – a riddle of hidden doors –
I swear I saw a rabbit hop across the hall;
swear doves nested at the foot of his bed