Thursday, July 25, 2019

Svengali ... Follow

Today’s word is “svengali” ... sven-gah-lee ... a person who completely dominates another, usually with selfish or sinister motives. (Dictionary.com)

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He told so many stories.
     They watched with rapt attention ...
He was convincing with all his
     emotion. A regular Svengali.
They probably should have noticed
     when he began asking for little favors.
          When he asked for money for himself.
But he had big words and enormous
     theories. And stage presence. And he
          understood guilt. And pressure.
It worked too. He was successful. Got what 
     he wanted. Even now he sits,
          King of his little kingdom.
His willing subjects bask in his
     compliments. Mesmerized by
          something they cannot understand.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2019

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