The lost art of spinning plates

 

while the plates whirl

in white bouquets of porcelain petals

like gyring butterflies

defying the gravity of the situation

spiralling like flat earths

their barycentre elsewhere

well-known flying objects

in typical domestic brawls stilled

common household paraphernalia

hurtling through apparent inertia

while the hunched man announcing the show

moves like a gorilla in an impeccable suit

weaving platitudes and

praising the infinite movement

while the audience sees through the lies

they know the ropes and tricks

the plywood effect

the ridge under the plate

the impression of flatness

the distractions histrionics

while all of this is just coordinated effort

strategical jerks of the wrist

a keen eye for loss and gain

and a good supply of plates

while the spinner doesn't do much

just entertains the delicate balance

dishes out the illusion of control

with pivoting accuracy

on the axis of ceramic cynosure

makes our heart fluster at every turn

while other hands pick pockets

the motion captivates our emotions

the looped words and gestures

the invisible orchestra twirling symmetry

our mind wobbles out of focus

while all our eyes can rivet on

is the swirling of the spinning plates

while we want and don't want catastrophe

it will happen no matter what

with soft bangs and loud whimpers

while the plates whirl