house of mirrors

Nick Torres

The Cabinet of Mirrors meets at ten
Nodding Secretaries in a row
Like a bunch of old dashboard dogs
In tailored suits from Savile Row

They call it peace through violence
Like that’s just how it goes
Killing keeps us safe at night
Everybody smiles and glows

Chorus
Think what you’re told
See what you’re shown
Remember it different
That’s the way it goes

The Board of Peace convenes at noon
Beneath a painted dome
A choir of consent stands up
And sings in worship tones

They speak of necessary force
The vote is heaven-sent
They high-five, Amen after the vote
And no one knows what’s meant

Think what you’re told
See what you’re shown
Remember it different
That’s the way it goes

Bridge
The Jury of Mirrors doesn’t need a bench
They meet upstairs instead
In backroom deals with shaken hands
Where secret things are said
A quiet nod. An envelope.
An embarrassment now dead.
The past gets trimmed to fit the frame
And crisis put to bed

Pre-Chorus
And all God’s children say…
I said all God’s children say…

Think what you’re told
See what you’re shown
Remember it different
That’s the way it goes