consequence of deceit
at the apothecary shop
a wizard arrives & says
I’ve lost all my compounds to the fire
and must start from scratch
to replenish my inventory
what do you have in store for me
mister apothecary man
now the apothecary man
knew the wizard like a brother
but smelled himself a ruse
carefully replied his supplies too
were at an all-time low
and could not possibly let go
anything he may have in stock
with that the wizard departed
heading for the forest trail head
empty satchel over shoulder
considering how his next concoction
would be given discreetly
to the apothecary man
for his underhanded ways
june two thousand twenty-four
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
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