The Magic Word

I was born prematurely into a top hat. Due to unforeseen complications, a midwife sawed my mother in half at the request of man who was no doctor. A reconnection of twin beds under the cover of hospital sheets made her whole again. Some children are given blocks with carved lettering. Others are serenaded by a variety of musical instruments which they are encouraged to intuit through play. There are children placed into contraptions to help them choreograph first steps. I was introduced to smoke. Most people close their eyes instinctively. My training prioritized focus. Distraction was strictly hung up as guest towels. They were aloud to follow the direction of loud noises. Outsiders were always free to jump at a sudden touch. These instincts were punished out of me. The alphabet of my youth started with X. To say a thing is known is to paint the trap door. And how could I betray the guild after the manner of visitors? Scavenger hunts had no place in my upbringing. I was taught to find the trick and never the object. Behind every ear infection is a silver dollar. No high chair has ever graced our dinner table. The vantage point of beguilement comes from above. This is why a struggling initiate "gives up" in frustration. He returns the mystery to it's origin. If two eyes are needed to map out depth, what compels a fact but a ghastly third eye. Only in dreams are we swept clean of predicates like magicians.