A thank you
Every so often I will discover a beautiful poem that appeals to my inner child – one that coaxes it out of the cave it hides in after being shouted at, chastised, upset and made to feel superfluous to this cruel dark world. I keep that child protected as it has very few friends and allies. Robert F Potts is a poet I know very little about and yet his words know me very well. I thank you with love Robert for making me feel less alone and making that child feel warm inside.
Can You Imagine?
(For the Child in All of Us)
Can you imagine a world without witches, A world with all people the same? Where the only known dragons are hiding in books, And children are terribly tame? A world without magic would be sad indeed. I cannot imagine the pain Of having a world where there’s no Santa Claus, Where wizards are searched for in vain.
Can you imagine a world without spells, That science and businesses run? And think of the sadness a unicorn feels When he no longer plays in the sun Can you imagine a world without witches, No elves, and no magical pools? And can you imagine how dull it would be If all that we had were the schools?
I cannot imagine a world without witches, A world with no magical wand. A world without beauty, or even a dream, Or a wood sprite of whom to be fond They say I should grow up and be more mature, Like a normal adult ought to do. But I’d rather, at night, go to dance with a witch, And I’ll bet that you feel that way, too.
A witches way
Where are they?
Where are they now, those faerie folk Who once dwelt in my wood When I was young, who played with me And taught me what they could? I’d hear the Dryad sing her song In the shadows by a twisting stream. I’d chase the elves and they’d chase me. I’d hide behind a magic tree Or in a moonlight beam.
Where did they go? When did they leave? I can’t recall the day. Did I say goodbye to them And watch them go away? Or did I just forget to look One day when I was older? Did I, perhaps, just slip astray, Neglect to go one winter day, A world-wise youth and getting colder?
I’ll go back now to the wood Again to find the grace, The long-missed fun of tiny folk, Of meeting faeries face to face. I will find them and I’ll stay this time. I’ll not again forget their names. I’m younger now, not near so wise As when I wore a young man’s guise. It’s time I joined their games.
by Robert F. Potts @ 2001
Fairy toadstool