Card Trick

Sister Mary tried to scare me with things she'd seen Told me son you don't have to see it to believe Love flows down and drops of water wash you clean Manipulation, better given than received First the sleight of hand shake Then a star to prey Picks the guarded landscape Leaves the slow decay Cast aspersions net the marks and cut the bait Congregations manicured with thoughtful frames Sold salvation, buys indulgence to escape With credit cards of who to charge and who to blame Cuts around the edges Takes the whole thing out Claims divine perfection Benefits from doubt Falling, Falling slowly out now Handing down redemption, pass the dice, and wipe the slate Don't know the odds but love the game and have to play Insinuations come and go and take a break Silent juries ever loyal look away Discards the indiscretion Soft appeals to faith Not up to your discretion Need to know your place Falling, Falling slowly out now Falling, Falling slowly out now When the house stops winning furniture is rearranged Collections offered set aside for keeping safe Treadmills spinning exhaust the miles and dull the rage Keep all appointments to sanitize and key the cage Now watch the hands shake Conviction starts to melt The card trick you played Was the hand you dealt It was the hand you dealt