Magic Trick

Date:

Share post:

Abracadabra—

my downyfaced grandson morphs

in a cloud of hormones—

launched into a new wind

he speaks in tongues

sliding through my questions

gliding around the answers.

A fractured tectonic plate

somewhere in his universe

leaves him poised on a diamond edge

My eyes searchlight steady

not to miss the trick,

the unwrapping, unpeeling

perfect circle of him—

turning a showman’s face to me,

he holds my breath

lifts the silk

leaves me speechless.

— Ilene Millman

Ilene Millman is a member of the US1 poet’s co-op and has published work in U.S. 1 as well as other journals.

CE – US1

Related articles

Vietnam War through a photographer’s lens

A photograph hanging in Bryan Grigsby's Bordentown home captures a moment from the Vietnam War that has remained...

Former cop turned stand-up comedian to release his debut horror novel

For most stand-up comedians, a dead audience is the stuff of nightmares. For Eric Potts, it's the premise...

Rider’s 107.7 The Bronc named top college radio station

Rider University's student-run radio station, 107.7 The Bronc, has been named the 2026 College Radio Station of the...