(Lyn) Charlatan
Dedicated To: Lyn Waters Ratzberg
(anger poem for workshop)

I have sought to conceal
the secrets of my heart
yet a storm rages inside me
because she hangs mirrors
in the halls of her conscience
to reflect the ceaseless ticking
of her mechanical heart
beating like a metronome
in perfect three quarter time
with all the depth and feeling
of a mud puddle in the rain
in her arrogance she sees not
past her own reflection
she arranges her face
in a mask of martyred victim
she has duped many a soft-hearted fool
even though she's a practiced hand
at fraud and depicting herself
as a careing person
her accomplished mask slips
cracks begin to form from overuse
once her facade is crumbling
she attacks with confrontation
she is argumentative and cruel
having failed at that she
strikes out physically against
all who are weak and infirm
and once again
she asks me for help???
sure I'll help her...
right off a cliff!