Deceiver Revealed

by Jan Toomer

The words that were spoken
were farthest from truth –
masked behind a mantle
well-worn and bedraggled.

The deceiver began in a
frame of light – but soon was
to twist and darken, and then
hide it behind a smile.

The dark over ran –
the illusions broken –
the truth oozed into the room…
all took a step back.

Deceiver is alone – awaiting
new innocents, hoping
they won’t take a look behind
the scenes of the twisted smile.

The dark could no longer hide –
the deceiver panicked –
“No one must know…no one
Must suspect…”

Too late
Too late

Deceiver revealed.