Poem 735 – Abracadabra?

A card trick?
In front of a school of children?
What could possibly go wrong?
In fact it turns out quite a lot…

They say that if at first you don’t
succeed, that you should try, try, try
again? But after that? Press on?

Eventually it worked, I think,
a prize for my resilience but
I think they may have noticed…

And so I waved my magic wand
and wished myself away. Alas,
I failed to manage that as well!

Every year I do the school Christingle service on the last day of term. It has become a tradition that I do a Christmas magic trick. Usually it works…
(19.12.25)

© Ben Quant 2025
Photo by Clifford Photography on Unsplash

Poem 351 – Abracadabra

Sophie’s magic trick
“Masquerading as a male”
Fools Magic Circle

9th December 1991, the Magic Circle finally allowed women to join their ranks, only to find that one already had! Sophie Lloyd, disguised as Raymond, had earned her place. With the decision of the Circle she revealed her true identity, and was promptly kicked out… Now, the Circle is trying to find her again, in order to invite her back.
(12.11.24)

© Ben Quant 2024
Photo by Sergi Viladesau on Unsplash

Poem 128 – A Daily Ritual

I intervene before the kettle boils
Just as the pitch begins to shift I lift
And pour its contents on the roasted beans
A bed, that’s waiting to be stirred to life
A dash of white completes the conjured spell
Awakening its swirling velvet darkness
Its rich fragrance assaults and tastebuds cheer
As finally… anticipation ends

A mid-morning coffee. Perfect.
(16.05.22)

© Ben Quant 2022

Poem 82 – The Magic Word

You’re wrong to say magic does not exist
How do I know? I’ve seen it for myself
I’ve seen it in the power of verse to change
An outlook with a skillful choice of words
A clever phrase or metaphor provokes
New meaning formerly concealed, unknown
Whilst written symbols move knowledge across
Invisible mind bridges out of view
Bold stories pluck our eyes, transplanting them
Imagination thus breeds empathy
Whilst in the theatre players exercise
Surgery, switching hearts and souls
So hesitate before inscribing views
Articulate your words aloud with caution
They’re incantations not just spoken sounds
True magic not fantastic fabrication

(30.01.22)

© Ben Quant 2022