Showcase of the Sentimentalist - Part Two

15 of them begin the emotional ritual attired in silk & sequens, they maneuver miraculously one after another on burning coals glowing violet, the dance steps are heartbeats, curved & compassionate, their majesty is inviolate, their Art is to suffer for Hope wrought from the ribbon of Reality's casualties, fifteen to infinity the ladies become shooting stars lazered through a constellation collapsing into a single sphere of suspense, the crowd claps, cymbals chyme and a sorcerer's symbols rain in a fury of subconscious superstorm, confusing chaos and charming candor as relics vouchsafed in this cosmic cavern, the Eye of Providence appears annonymously, winking with Blessings on the forehead of a girl crooning for Roman gifts of iron roses & opium doses as she poses prettily on top of the Arch of the Covenant where angels scorch alms and demons dine on delirium, a flame spitter and sword swallower run to the forefront as the music deepens within the skulls of saints, they confront each other with pride, mortal misgivings alight in their eyes, a contest between Altruism & Misanthropy, which will prevail, fire or steel, which to survive, love or hate, one gets stabbed, the other burned, wagers wave through the theater, lots of chatter, banter & bravado, the wounded continue with character, Innocence tries to exit but is not allowed by Wherewithal as the two forces seem to be fatally struck a curtain closes ceremoniously and all that remains, endangered enlightenment echoes, and echoes like thunder while a beautiful candle glows, not yet bent or spent and everyone in attendance calms and knows, in absence of love, nothing but misery can be achieved - J.A.B.