Obvious Math

places in the dark. lilting fingers wide with chance. the strings dance long before the puppets move.

from the corner. the liar dares another ruse. flesh wrestles with the turn of the screw.

the ghost in the foyer threatens wrath. the prison is empty. the villains are loose.

time traces its heavy tracks. craters in the snow. holding her hostage. though no ransom is demanded.

places in the dark. scribble the skin across her bones.

still.

the corpse is not convinced.

the cliched math of jesters and kings. leaves nothing for the heir.