Hieroglyphics by Dale Patterson

Hieroglyphics

Tails are dusted with palms,
open highways stretch
out the sleeves.

The magician, a Sphinx:
circumnavigates logic,
sets detours in eyes
with whirligig fingers.

Presto calls down a phosphorous cloud.
He flutters three doves
from the well of his hat.

In the front row
a small golden tot with lapis cartouche
leans on a cane
and follows his steps.

His mother says, Satan
is cunning.

A Pharaoh faced man
stands in the shadows
and holds his applause.
He rails the truth
is the best of all lies,
it hides as pure salt
in an ocean
of sand.

Dale Patterson

Dale Patterson is a visual artist and poet living in Indiana. His work has been published in many online and print journals; the most recent have appeared in: Pilgrimage, The Tower Journal, The Museum of Americana, The Lake, Short Fast and Deadly and Midwestern Gothic. A more complete listing of Dale’s work can be seen on his website http://dalepattersonart.com/