After dropping in a second fizz of Alka-Seltzer,
\nI hold the glass to the kitchen\u2019s fluorescent tube
\nand ask myself why on earth I carry on with this
\nin our age of mentalists, reality shows and rolling news.<\/p>\n
The magic\u2019s gone. A puff of smoke: the primetime slots,
\nthe hairspray, the sold-out nights at the Albert Hall,
\nassistants with high-cut legs and spangled jackets,
\nand one last bow to the minor royal in the Royal Box.<\/p>\n
From here on in, it\u2019s gigs that smell of squash and biscuits,
\nand mornings with eyes a shade of Hammer-Horror-red.
\nOne of these days I\u2019ll shave the \u2018tache, ditch the wig,
\nand write my resignation to the Circle in invisible ink,<\/p>\n
then run a finger along the guillotine\u2019s razor edge,
\npush a hand through the air beyond to demonstrate
\nthe honesty of the trick (one last time, for old time\u2019s sake),
\nbefore lying down beneath that fucking blade.<\/p>\n