the last act

the magician, heartbroken
over his lover leaving
in the middle of the act
loses control, drops
the hat, the rabbits run
wild, the doves fly off
into the sky.
he saws a woman in half,
and leaves her bleeding.
his sleeve empties coins
onto the floor, the deck
of cards scatters.
he's lost his way
without her, and no matter
how many times he taps
his magic wand, he can't
bring her back.