Magic Words


I want my words to be like magic tricks,
performed so quickly—
whoosh, swoosh,
"Now you see it, now you don't!"—
that mind is amazed, eyes, blinking, unbelieving,
"What, where'd it go?"

I want my words to be like the ace of spades
found in your pocket—
"How'd that get there?"—
the queen of hearts found in your wallet,
along with a crisp, new hundred-dollar bill!—
"What?"—
and the king of diamonds
falling from your shirt sleeve,
fluttering to the floor—
"Oh, my!"

But most of all I want my words
to make you happy when you are sad—
in spite of it all!
And I want my words to make you smile
when you are starting to cry—
give it a try!
And I want my words to transform the moment
stuck in space and time
into laughter and love in the here and now.
I want my words to set you free!
 
 
By Louis Martin