Look, look, the boy said, as he conjured flowers
from the air. The father smiled. Very nice.

And look, the boy said, making water
disappear inside a newspaper

then making it pour into a jug.
Very impressive, the father said.

Now look, the boy said, levitating
and going too high. Be careful, the father said.

But look at this, the boy said
juggling with knives. I don’t like that

the father said. But look, this is even better
the boy said, taking up three chainsaws.

You’re frightening me, the father said.
But I can do this, the boy said, cutting off his arm

and then reattaching it, and the father said nothing;
he was too busy holding his breath.