Obfuscation

They play little games.

“Nothing serious,” they say.

“We tell him the truth with a puzzle of lies.

Make him hurt and see if he cries.

Show him reality and pretend it’s a mirage.

Let him hear noise and convince him it’s a song.

The shadows are reflections,

the mirror a door.

Keep him guessing and wanting more.

Steal his heart and give him a stone.

Lead him through secret passages

and make sure he stays lost

even after he finds his way home.”