I spin your food like a carnival ride, edges lava hot, center cold as ice. You stand there watching, eyes open wide, as if your stare could help me heat what’s inside.

Upon the throne of shadows, the crown of night he wears, With whispers of the ancients, his presence always stares. Ruler without a scepter, his court in legends dwells, In chess and in the lore, where tales of power swell.

Literally, a characteristic of Luke, Paul A, Mork, or, temporarily, Matt Damon’s scientist. More commonly, transcendence, etherealness or spirituality. Start with what happens when a basketball game ends in a tie, followed by the second element. Next the initials of a pink floyd musician or Mrs. Doubtfire followed by the conjunction I just used. Now Caesar’s fifty and the noise of one of his battles. Finally, the end of a female god.

First four: respite, time in repose, Four more: place to be, space enclosed Stalls for a while, where everyone goes

Blow struck, Liquor drunk, Leather coiled, Round a trunk