we went to see some little show
that was staged in an old shed
past the edge of town
and in its beginnings all seemed well
the miniature curtained stage glowed in the darkness
while those dolls bounced along on their strings before our eyes
and in its beginnings all seemed well
but then there came a subtle turning point which some had noticed
and i was one
who quietly left the show
though i did not
because i could see where things were going
as the antics of those dolls grew strange
and the fragile strings grew taut
with the tiny pullings of tiny limbs
the others around me became appalled
and turned away and abandoned the show
that was staged in an old shed
past the edge of town
but i wanted to witness what could never be
i wanted to see what could not be seen
the moment of consummate disaster
when puppets turn to face the puppet master

-thomas ligotti

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photo taken with a holga in the countryside