It’s better not to know the trick
that lets the caped man
saw the girl in two.
We look for clues each time
the hoop is passed —
delighted not to see the strings.
We want to trust the hand
that puts us in the box,
not hunt for mirrors up a sleeve —
enough to know
that we’ll emerge intact
when hearts spin close to blades.
Eyes are fooled by sleight of hand,
the tip of finger on a willing spine.
We know there’s no such thing as magic.
But who can resist a wizard’s wand
with every frog a kiss away
from prince?
Paula Rudnick is a former television writer and producer who has worked the past 30 years as a volunteer for nonprofit organizations.