Lyn Moir
The Puppet Master's Return
The puppet master’s hands remember strings
much as a lutanist’s. Not long ago
he had to dance himself when other twitched
his frames. He strokes the carved pine features,
mouthing names he has not used for years:
Kasparék, Cert - that’s Devil - Death, the Witch...
He populates the stage inside his head
with gangling, jerky characters, grotesque
to others, beautiful to him. His fingers,
stiff, roughened by years of sweeping streets,
give life to kings again, because his touch
remains as sure as when he entertained
proud heads of state. His puppets hang above
their coffin boxes, welcome master home
with wooden leers. His hands work on their own:
the creatures move but know his spirit’s dead.
Page(s) 56
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