but then there came a subtle turning point
which some had noticed ( and I was one)
who quietly left the show (no, I did not)
because I could see where things were going
as the antics of those dolls grew strange
and the fragile strings grew taut
with the tiny pullings of tiny limbs

the others around me became appalled
and turned away and abandoned the show
that was staged in an old shed
past the edge of town
but I wanted to witness what could never be
I wanted to see what could not be seen
the moment of consummate disaster
when puppets turn to face the puppet master