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Mise en Abyme

by Norman Ball

-1Recursive eyes detect recursive eyes. No exit here. Our crimes convict the same tautology. Men pine for sharp surprise. Yet self-regarding mirrors guard the frame so jealously. Innities cascade into themselves like doppelganger panes compelled by fate to skip away. Unswayed, a lone black star ejects the whitest stains.

A cage went in search of a bird. --Franz Kafka, Aphorisms

-3The Red One begs to differ: Signs abound. The prison harbors snitches who, if found, in time....hah, time! The Watchman on the stair obstructs all passage. Here. Then, Over There. -4Apostasy of air, the vaguest guilt-a vacant clue, the blackbird perched above? The devils trap, open to all but love, enjoins the ightless bird: 'do as thou wilt'.

-2From branch and twig, the Tattered King presides in efgy, resigned to no escape. Eternity, cruel arbiter, derides high station. Scars bet the royal cape.

-5Carcosa savors those who over-think or ladder imaged esh to mount escape. Sweet Pallas lied. All mouths are left agape. Behold the horor! Eyes that cannot blink!

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