Immortal Imperfections

The Trickster

Face whitewashed,and cheeks dabbed with pink

Deep eyes drawn with indelible ink

Lips painted red and the his outfit put on

he could hear his own mirror scorn

but he smiled back with a grin too wide

hiding every emotion he was trying to chide

He entered the stage greeted with an astounding laudation

Here too children laughed at his physical transformation

he swallowed swords while playing the lyre

he juggled knives while dancing on fire

The audience left muttering approbations

"my, my, wasn't he a wonderful trickster"

If only they knew about his crippled brother

If only they knew about his coughing mother

If only they knew the real situation,

 how life tricks these impoverished men of talent with her deception.