Magic

MAGIC

Do I believe in magic?'

Certainly I do!

For magic is all around us,

Constantly in view.

I don't believe in 'numbers';

Or even 'horoscopes'

And I think those that do believe 

Are merely gullible dopes.

I don't believe in 'tea-leaves' 

Or even 'rabbit's feet';

And I think that Fortune Tellers

Are inclined to lie and cheat.

But I do believe in the magic

Of the atom and the cell;

And I do believe it's magic

 When a pearl grows in a shell.

I think the fact that I'm alive

Is magic undeniable;

And I think of magic when the sun comes up,

Daily and so reliable.

What need is there of Fairies,

Or Angels, come to that,

When we are floating in a magic

That's like some Magnificat?

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SHAME

You ask us to write about Shame

And my mind is blank!

Have I led a blameless

As opposed to a shameless,

Life?

No!

I can recall moments of 

Stupidity,

Brashness,

Thoughtlessness,

And, even, Unkindness.

But the memories

Are softened by time.

I'm sure I wasn't that bad after all!

At night I enjoy a dream-free sleep,

The sure sign of a clear conscience.

How is it then

That when I rest on the settee

For half an hour

In the afternoon,

And I doze,

Every stupid action surges back?

Frequently,

I'm jolted back to wakefulness

By the reliving

Of each miserable act!

I wake feeling I have only just committed it!

It is

 So fresh,

So bald,

So appalling,

So humiliating

That the thought kills all slumber.

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Of course,

I can't recount my sins to you

Because I am wide awake.

Pity about that!

*