for Michael & Marie

The Magician

He performed for us
on the playground, sleight
of hand; later in bars
with cigarettes and coins
from behind the listless ears
of boozy patrons. The best illusion:
silver rings which he linked,
unlinked, tempting skeptics,
cajoling fools. After he
was electrocuted, losing
his right arm, they called him
One Arm Bandit: the shock
must have had much to do
with his current favorite
trick - making liquids
disappear from bottles.

Now he teaches my boy, only
then does his godson respect
his commands. The magician
unable to show, takes on
a voice somewhat mystically
transformed: "Voila' now,
and with a flourish of the scarf!"
he instructs. His godson produces
a Made in Hong Kong rabbit
from my purse on the coffee table,
shakes a damp dish towel,
"Wall-La!" he cries proudly.

Recalling Michael "Waiting for Godot" in Williamsburg, actually in a theatre line waiting to see the play; when a pretty/young/thing behind us asked if he was Kenny Rogers; without hesitation from Michael: "You picked a fine time to leave me Lucille..."

At Rosy's on St. Pat's

Canon AE-1 photo, caught the same day
the poem was inspired (early '80s).