You've all brought me to tears today as I read your comments and the way you're supporting and uplifting one another. This sweet community gives me hope for the future.
A late addition (couldn't finish it yesterday), and an unusual offering from me. Just passed 19 years since our firstborn daughter died, the anniversary of her memorial service last Friday. Front of mind, just now, she is. Not always anymore, but often. 'Magic' is the word that prompted me to write about her. Thank you for reading her name. Maybe even speaking her name aloud.
Bob, thank you for sharing your heart and this beautiful tribute. We remember Madeleine alongside you, celebrate her, grieve with you. Thank you for being in this space with us and letting poetry speak.
Bob, I find this only now and I'm so very grateful I did. I have few words for your beautiful tribute to your magical Madeleine. Thank you for sharing her with us, for sharing your heart and your own magic that lives on as Madeleine dances through your life. This brought tears to my eyes <3
Thank you so much Bob, for sharing this. I am reading this poem through and through, and saying Madeleine's name today, and holding Madedeine, you and your family in my heart. Loss is one of the things we all will have in common, and love in its 360 degree form, will guide us through. Peace to you.
Wow, I so very love every aspect of the timbre of your voice here, and how confidently and clearly you do use it to speak up about the magic of our world.
This is gorgeous, Trish, I love it a lot! <3 Thank you.
WOW, Sarah. It's so magical indeed to now revisit this day - I knew I wanted to take good time to read and enjoy these poems, and I see why!
I LOVE the way you juxtapose and play with power and magic! An ancient narrative and dance that continues to be both frustrating and (seemingly) essentially provocative to the individual exaltation of the magic in each of us that will always live on.
I really love this, and resonate on so many levels, in so many lifetimes :) Thanks for sharing!
This is so powerful and insightful, Steven. I was, am, will be always amazed and saddened by those religious sorts who missed completely the parallels in Harry Potter to the teachings of Jesus, Buddha, Mohammed, the Torah and Hebrew texts, earth wisdom and more. Your invocation of "he who will not be named" as a construct of our doing is remarkable. Thank you!
Wow, my super-late revisit of this day, and all the fabulous poems I know I haven't read, is indeed proving so joyfully fruitful. I love this poem SO much, Steven - every inch of it resonates with my personal and professional aspects.
So fascinating the way you weave magic together with Harry Potter and compassionate vibrant living, and in general, I love the way you integrate seemingly stark objects together in your poems lately.
We have SO much magic technology (in so many senses) available to us - those you've indicated and so much more - and I love that you keep them prominent and strong in our eyes as you do here. Wonderful wonderful, Steven, I really cherish your perspectives.
I do hope you may consider sharing more of your writing in your own Substack. It's truly been a pleasure to read your thoughts, and your exquisite poetry, and I'd love to keep following along on your journey! :) Let me be a voice to clearly say, go for it! <3
I want to add as an addendum to my poem the commentary of the post I created for it today. These are thoughts that are important to me and that I wish to share :)
This is so enlightening and connecting, Jillian. "Every moment must be a magical moment" Yes! This present moment is magical! The integrative nature of this poem, and your illuminating ability to dissolve the barriers between the compartments in our lives, finds its way into the fabric of my being. Thank you for your magical heart and spirit and for lifting the magic in us!
Thank you so kindly for your generous words, and for being one who so lovingly creates beautiful space for the magic of our world! ✨ Your words lift me up daily. So many blessings to you.
I love that, often, your poems start so softly, like in a whisper, and quickly grow to be a mighty tempest. So much power here! And BOOM, that last line: "Magic steals back the spotlight from science." Love that!
A loud OH MAN was out of my mouth before I even realized it was coming. I feel you are ramping up, A, and you really feel so in your element with this one. I adore the feeling of being a bit closer to the edge of my seat, waiting to see what you bring next.
Your poetry is magical to me, A. "A poems forms out of a simple word." that is indeed magical! I love the way you bring us from sprout to the various ways of earth, everyday and life are magical. What a splendid poem!
OH, this day was just full of so many gems - this is definitely one of them! I really appreciate the way that you question here. Agreed with Larry; there are a lot of aspects to this question, but part of it is loosening the heck up to receive the magic in the first place ;)
This is so extremely beautiful, Larry :) I'm glad I made it back to this day to find it! I like how thoughtful and yet so joyful you are here.
I really feel particularly intrigued by "between the mystical and the magical." For me, there's not much distinction. When you posed it here, it created more space to think that there was, which led me to feel that magical is the mystical in human hands. There's something accessible, actionable, practical, playful about magic that perhaps may be present from mysticism.
An interesting thought I will certainly chew on :)
You've all brought me to tears today as I read your comments and the way you're supporting and uplifting one another. This sweet community gives me hope for the future.
Time frozen,
Hearts full,
The magic of,
An evening with friends.
A magic moment indeed :)
A late addition (couldn't finish it yesterday), and an unusual offering from me. Just passed 19 years since our firstborn daughter died, the anniversary of her memorial service last Friday. Front of mind, just now, she is. Not always anymore, but often. 'Magic' is the word that prompted me to write about her. Thank you for reading her name. Maybe even speaking her name aloud.
Madeleine Grace Paterson-Watt 89-04-14/04-04-28
Madeleine's birth was a moment
of intense physicality
(just ask her mother)
violence even
cleaving one body from another
so that the one might begin
an ongoing separation
from the other
transforming a baby bump
into a wriggling lump
given over to untested arms
against my wildly beating heart
--magic and
biological everydayness
big sibling to two sisters
at times accommodating
often disparaging
always loving
Madeleine blazed the trail
dancing her way
around our house
in the studios
on the stages
into so many fine hearts
--magic and
ferocious commitment
cancer growing
in developing ovary
punting her life
with football sized tumour
into utter chaos and challenge
not to mention
the chasm of anguish
opening like a devouring maw
swallowing her family
into its despairing depths
Oh that
some magic
or mystery
or miracle might
interrupt this cascade toward oblivion
this living nightmare
surgeries chemo treatments
assaulted our sweet Madeleine
but did not break her
spirit is strong, eternal
'oh daddy, don't be sad'
then
body succumbed
physical separation complete
textured flattened
colour drained
music silenced
heart crushed
mind numbed
spirit splayed
soul obliterated
existence pointless
and yet
and yet
and yet
she visits still
in her mother's gesture
an expression on her sisters' faces
tears on mine
the curiosity of her niece
always asking about Madeleine
and glimpses
conversations
vivid images
in the dream time
magic
mystery
wonder
love
Bob, thank you for sharing your heart and this beautiful tribute. We remember Madeleine alongside you, celebrate her, grieve with you. Thank you for being in this space with us and letting poetry speak.
Bob, I find this only now and I'm so very grateful I did. I have few words for your beautiful tribute to your magical Madeleine. Thank you for sharing her with us, for sharing your heart and your own magic that lives on as Madeleine dances through your life. This brought tears to my eyes <3
Thank you so much Bob, for sharing this. I am reading this poem through and through, and saying Madeleine's name today, and holding Madedeine, you and your family in my heart. Loss is one of the things we all will have in common, and love in its 360 degree form, will guide us through. Peace to you.
Beautiful words Bob. A perfect example of how grief can make the most wonderful, and in this case magical, art.
Magic
at the best moment,
I ask you. You say
yes.
WOW. I love this one. Only... YES.
Thank you so much <3
Wow. That speaks so much using very few words. Thank you for sharing
Magic
Magic always seemed to be
a mixing of potions and
conjuring spells and
even using slight of hand
to bring into existence
something that was not there.
If that’s the case,
maybe loving the different,
helping the needy,
speaking out about injustice,
even conjuring up some
self-compassion,
could be the magic we need
to heal us and connect us
and bring about
a more perfect union
we’ve yet to see.
Wow, I so very love every aspect of the timbre of your voice here, and how confidently and clearly you do use it to speak up about the magic of our world.
This is gorgeous, Trish, I love it a lot! <3 Thank you.
I love the way you equate justice seeking and doing with magic! Very nice! This is a wonderful poem!
Every thing has power (magic)
by nature of being
able to influence, heal, change
how dangerous to the status quo (power)
My lineage knew words have power (magic)
to alchemize unseen into being
feeling into healing
how dangerous to the status quo (power)
Knowing our power (magic)
means no need for an authoritative being
to explain, control, own and provide
how dangerous to the status quo (power)
Belief in our power (magic)
in what they cannot see as being
is our sacred reclamation incantation
how dangerous to the status quo (power)
Very nice, Sarah! Dangerous indeed, and so neccessary!
WOW, Sarah. It's so magical indeed to now revisit this day - I knew I wanted to take good time to read and enjoy these poems, and I see why!
I LOVE the way you juxtapose and play with power and magic! An ancient narrative and dance that continues to be both frustrating and (seemingly) essentially provocative to the individual exaltation of the magic in each of us that will always live on.
I really love this, and resonate on so many levels, in so many lifetimes :) Thanks for sharing!
I remember vividly
the self-righteous
seminary classmate
make a beeline
toward the (unexpecting?)
systematic seminary professor
his "crime"
contradicting her belief that
Harry Potter was evil
he proclaimed it
wonderfully entertaining
as the "dark forces"
were about to descend upon him
his explanation
which I heard briefly
leaving the classroom
was that magic
for the wizards
was technology
available to them
I daydream having a
world with the
technology of magic
what wonderful things
we could accomplish
but then I remember
a divided world
with its own
"he who would not be named"
trying to bring others into
his pain and suffering
elevating himself
to ruler over all
bringing about a war
and oppression
with scapegoats
and exploited fears
to keep dark forces alive
to cause chaos
confusion and hatred
keeping us prisoner
I would rather have
the magic of this world
the awe and wonder
in a child's eyes
as they discover the world
or the magic feeling
of holding a loved one's hand
or the kiss of someone special
the things that are "both/and"
spiritual and physical
but also defy
emotion and logic
a forgiveness that unburdens
and liberates
a grace that heals
and transfigures
plus a faith and hope
grounded in love
so strong
that even
"he who would not be named"
may find
redemption and transformation
and lead a different,
new, and resurrected life
now that is magic
This is so powerful and insightful, Steven. I was, am, will be always amazed and saddened by those religious sorts who missed completely the parallels in Harry Potter to the teachings of Jesus, Buddha, Mohammed, the Torah and Hebrew texts, earth wisdom and more. Your invocation of "he who will not be named" as a construct of our doing is remarkable. Thank you!
Thank you
Wow, my super-late revisit of this day, and all the fabulous poems I know I haven't read, is indeed proving so joyfully fruitful. I love this poem SO much, Steven - every inch of it resonates with my personal and professional aspects.
So fascinating the way you weave magic together with Harry Potter and compassionate vibrant living, and in general, I love the way you integrate seemingly stark objects together in your poems lately.
We have SO much magic technology (in so many senses) available to us - those you've indicated and so much more - and I love that you keep them prominent and strong in our eyes as you do here. Wonderful wonderful, Steven, I really cherish your perspectives.
I do hope you may consider sharing more of your writing in your own Substack. It's truly been a pleasure to read your thoughts, and your exquisite poetry, and I'd love to keep following along on your journey! :) Let me be a voice to clearly say, go for it! <3
That makes me smile and brings a tear of being seen.
Thank you so much
Thank you so much. You are always so kind
Much love to you <3
Magic
.
I don’t want luck,
I want integrity.
I want the angels to come down,
Gently slap my face, give me a drink of water,
Tell me to pick myself up,
And spin me in the direction of the trail
I’ve been hiking so I can continue to carry myself forward.
.
I don’t want something beyond me
To seize me, to lift my wings
And carry me - “me” and “it.”
I want magic,
Pouring between my cells,
Flowing in my veins,
Becoming me as I become it,
Being something I carry and wield
At once as it carries me.
.
Magic is not beyond me,
Around me, with me.
Magic is me,
Me in my core and
Me as beyond, reaching out,
Fingers ever stretched to horizons in no short supply,
Me changing the world as my world changes within me.
I have no end, nor a beginning,
Yet here I am, me.
And so magic must be here,
Magic must Be,
Lacing and wispy,
Emerald green and lilac,
Without being thought or summoned.
.
And then, every moment must be a magical moment,
With choice(s) and path(s), plural,
Multi-dimensional, irresistibly.
If we take each moment as magical,
Boy, what’s that world we’ll find at the turn of even a year?
(You say yes at the right moment. Magical.)
Magic, baby; can’t live without it, and… I honestly think that’s it.
Can’t live without it.
I want to add as an addendum to my poem the commentary of the post I created for it today. These are thoughts that are important to me and that I wish to share :)
https://open.substack.com/pub/jillianjoy/p/day-21-magic?r=2achwh&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
"the magic that gets shit done"
Ha.
Hehe 😉 Can we deny there’s a solid aspect of that too in the mix?
I'm so glad you mentioned this! Your commentary adds such a beautiful layer to this poem and I'll look forward to reading the rest soon!
Thank you so much! 💗 I’m delighted for you to read my words :)
Your posts provide insightful and illuminating essence to your poems. I look forward to reading them every day.
Thank you so much, Larry!
"Magic is not beyond me/ Around me, with me/ Magic is me" - yes! ✨️
I'm so glad you got it! ✨️
You continue to inspire me.
"I have no end, nor beginning,
Yet here I am, me.
And so magic must be here,
Magic must be,
Lacing and wispy,
Emerald green and lilac,
Without being thought or summoned"
Thanks so much, Steven. It really says a lot that you see and receive these aspects <3
This is so enlightening and connecting, Jillian. "Every moment must be a magical moment" Yes! This present moment is magical! The integrative nature of this poem, and your illuminating ability to dissolve the barriers between the compartments in our lives, finds its way into the fabric of my being. Thank you for your magical heart and spirit and for lifting the magic in us!
Thank you so kindly for your generous words, and for being one who so lovingly creates beautiful space for the magic of our world! ✨ Your words lift me up daily. So many blessings to you.
Magic existed before science stole the spotlight.
It is mysterious lights in the dusk
and soft scented breezes that scrape the damp from the leaves and burn the heart with the thrill of sensory perception.
It is sounds of woodland creatures in the deep dark of woodlands.
The subliminal whisper that seems to come from all directions.
It is the covenant of lingering companions who share the birdsong and the breeze,
after the wine and the feast.
These are the moments that even science cannot explain because they are magic.
Magic steals back the spotlight from science.
OH, yes, Leslie! Love this.
I love that, often, your poems start so softly, like in a whisper, and quickly grow to be a mighty tempest. So much power here! And BOOM, that last line: "Magic steals back the spotlight from science." Love that!
I've always been drawn
to the idea of magic
of powers
and potions
and spells
but the real magic
rests in the mundane
.
in the everyday threads
of a life woven with
intention
joy
comfort
love
passion
.
a tiny sprout
emerges from the earth
yawns open its leaves
reaches upward
drinks in the water
soaks up the sunlight
grows deeper as it grows up
.
a tiny baby
laughs for the first time
uncontainable joy rises
smile spreads
giggles bubble up
belly jiggles
feet and hands flail
.
a ray of sunlight
peeks out from behind a cloud
touches raindrops
bends into an arc
bursts into colour
bows to the earth
lingers just for a moment
.
a sleepy cat
meows and jumps up
curls into a ball
nestles in a warm lap
nuzzles outstretched fingers
kneads its paws
purrs in contentment
.
a breeze drifts by as
coffee brews
bread rises
chocolate melts
onions caramelize
soup simmers
flowers bloom
.
someone falls in love
for the first time
or again
with a person
or a place
or a story
or a craft
.
a hand
or a moment
or a note
or a landscape
or silence
or skin
s t r e t c h e s
.
the snow and
the rain and
the leaves
fall and
the seasons change again
and again
and -
.
a poem forms
out of a simple word.
Keep going .............
more magic, please
A loud OH MAN was out of my mouth before I even realized it was coming. I feel you are ramping up, A, and you really feel so in your element with this one. I adore the feeling of being a bit closer to the edge of my seat, waiting to see what you bring next.
Thanks so much, I loved this <3
Thank you so much! This one felt like an inevitable echo of some of the other poems I've written this month, like I was just waiting for the word. ❤️
Wow, so glorious! "Inevitable echo" - that sounds like magic indeed! :) I'm so glad you reached it! :D
Your poetry is magical to me, A. "A poems forms out of a simple word." that is indeed magical! I love the way you bring us from sprout to the various ways of earth, everyday and life are magical. What a splendid poem!
Thank you! I have felt challenged in the best way by these prompts.
You certainly rise to the chsllenges!
MAGIC is REAL
Not something only contained
within fantasy books, myths and legends
It is here, spiraling all around us
Whirling within as the
miraculous beings we are!
It’s the sparkle of twilight
A shadow of mystery
The flickering glow of a candle
It’s the medium we are all immersed in
How it is felt
understood
wielded
practiced
is unique to each individual
Whether aroused for
good or evil
depends on intent
It is either a prayer or a hex
An invocation or a curse
Advantageous for all
or for one’s own glory
Either way MAGIC is here
Even if you are blind to it
or don’t believe
it is still being practiced
Just look to the thoughts in your head
the feelings it generates
What is being repeated
is a spell, a bewitchment
a conjuring of your life.
This is beautiful, Julie <3
"Even if you are blind to it
or don't believe
it is still being practiced" - love this!
When I saw "whirling within," it made me think of this song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=op8DvfghOkI&pp=ygUfd2hpcmxpbmcgd2l0aGluIGRlc2VydCBkd2VsbGVycw%3D%3D
. influencing the course of events by using mysterious or supernatural forces.
so sez merriam.
sorta kinda maybe like how prayer is supposed to work?
Hey god,
no lightning bolts, please,
but, i was just wondering,
would i get better results if i replaced
AMEN with ABRACADABRA?
OH, this day was just full of so many gems - this is definitely one of them! I really appreciate the way that you question here. Agreed with Larry; there are a lot of aspects to this question, but part of it is loosening the heck up to receive the magic in the first place ;)
Very nice Chuck! I love the questioin yoiu ponder--amen or abracacadabra? We do often get stuck in the formulaic rather than the magical!
Moments of
Astounding
Greatness
Inspiring
Calm and contentedness
Magic
Wizards and witches,
sorcerers and seers,
daydream imagination and
nighttime reads,
it all seemed like magic to me.
Funny men in top hats and tails,
slick card tricks and fast hand movers,
rainbow scarves with no end,
rabbits and birds out of hats and hands,
I loved the magic in it all.
Before the world taught me to fear,
before ignorance and insecurity drove
these jester prophets to the shadows,
before the powers decreed their false truths
magic brought light to my life.
Jesus was a wisdom teacher,
eliminating the distance between
the mystical and the magical,
the miraculous and the mundane,
transforming the need to define into clarity.
The magic began to flow again in discovery,
the awkward joy of a first kiss,
a child’s cry piercing the morning,
the last breath of a beloved,
love dancing in the embers of hearts gone cold.
If we lose the magic in our lives,
how will the whippoorwill sing?
If our magic disappears,
how will I find you out there,
holding the light to guide me home?
I love the reflection about being taught to fear magic. I thought about that a lot today.
It still is so prevalent today, from the religious to the political. I love the magic in our poems here!
I do, too. I'm so grateful for this little community.
This is so extremely beautiful, Larry :) I'm glad I made it back to this day to find it! I like how thoughtful and yet so joyful you are here.
I really feel particularly intrigued by "between the mystical and the magical." For me, there's not much distinction. When you posed it here, it created more space to think that there was, which led me to feel that magical is the mystical in human hands. There's something accessible, actionable, practical, playful about magic that perhaps may be present from mysticism.
An interesting thought I will certainly chew on :)
What a wonderful insight Jillian! I really like your description as the 'magical is the mystical in human hands."
What a powerful way to describe magic! (It's a word that means so much to me too, so I really appreciate what you've shared here.)
I’ve been enjoying your poems this month-- this one especially resonates. Thank you!