Saturday, February 02, 2008

Writers Island - Magic!


It’s winter. When I look from my window I see a barren landscape. Naked trees, brown earth and frozen lakes. If I were to close my eyes and open them a few months later all will have changed.
Golden daffodils and nodding snowdrops appear from nowhere. The oak and the ash wear a coat of freshest green and fluffy ducklings frantically paddle behind their proud mother.
That’s magic.

Santa struggles down a tiny chimney, and the tooth fairy flutters silently into a child’s room in the depths of night.
That’s magic.

I break a bone and it mends itself. I cut my finger and new skin grows. If I bang my head I see stars.
Now that’s magic.

An artist mixes yellow with blue and green appears. A few strokes of his brush, a flourish of his palette knife, and and an empty white canvas becomes an object of startling beauty.
Surely that’s magic.

I lift my phone and speak to my son thousands of miles away. I write a message and a reply comes back in seconds. I see pictures from outer space, and I press a button on a tiny metal box and a moment in time is recorded for posterity.
That’s magic.
/
A new life is created from a simple act of love.
Pure magic.
.
I saw a conjurer cut a lady in half. He produced a rabbit from a hat and did all sorts of tricks with a pack of cards.
That was....clever.

33 comments:

  1. I love the last bit.
    Of course, many would say that most of your statements should end with 'that's science'. But that's boring.
    Science will tell you 'how', but it has nothing to say about 'why'?
    Now that IS magic.

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  2. I love how you remind us of the magic behind the world around us. Also loved the rainbow filter of colour round the word 'magic"! But the last line really "grabbed".

    Great write!

    Smiles and Light

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  3. I love this - great stuff Keith! I always enjoy my visits here so.

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  5. i read this post and smile at the innocence reflected in it, intentional or not...
    and in this world and age, thats MAGIC! :)

    cheers...

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  6. I have read and enjoyed your stories several times now, via sunday scribblings. I especially love your rosey stories.

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  7. It's nice to see the difference from true magic and stage shows.

    You see it when you least expect it, I suppose.

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  8. What a great reminder of how miraculous and magical our lives are, and often we just take it for granted. The last part gave me a chuckle!

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  9. I like the ending - there is some magic in magic tricks, isn't there?

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  10. Awesome twist, Keith! That's great!

    And you are right. Nature IS magic. I'm going to go ogle the live webcam from Yellowstone now...

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  11. Excellant! Absolutely excellant - I loved the ending. Blessings, Cricket

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  12. Hey there, You speak the truth and I love this post.

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  13. Hi Keith, I'm back!

    I can't help but visit your Magical entry first - as the title implies, it is indeed magical! The many things you pointed in this entry are and more, your words made them.

    It is timely that the prompt this week is perfect for my return. I just posted my entry "Dawning Magic" I hope you will like it.

    Please visit also my blog for my "Thank You" note for your kind words that helped ease my grief during the passing away of my father.

    I wish you well.

    ~ Jeques

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  14. very nice composition keith,, i really enjoyed the journey... every step....

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  15. I agree on each magical thought you touched on!
    Excellent and entertaining Keith! :))

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  16. Oh, this is perfect!! Magical AND clever! Love it...

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  17. I loved how you write about frantically paddling ducks. I can see them right in front of me. I agree with all this magic. I am also in awe when I go on MSN and I can wave through the webcam and talk to my brothers children

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  18. Very magical, Keith.

    And next time you visit India..dDelhi..do let me know..

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  19. That was really magical... the magic of life is amazing...

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  20. Hi Keith -- I really like how you did this with the colors and the really lovely examples of magic -- well done!
    :)

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  21. There is so much magic to be found and your post has highlighted quite a section of it. I love the layout and wanted to copy the different colours for the word 'magic'. I got my first computer to keep in touch with my daughter when she spent a year in China.

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  22. You have reminded me of the magic that is all around us. Extremely well said!

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  23. oh Keith, that was magically clever! More to read as you write so many...so off to the next.

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  24. I have to appreciate anyone who can find the magic in all of life. This was a fun read, especially the ending. I have a friend who does 'magic' (and music) for a living and he is very clever indeed.
    Thanks for your visit and comment too.

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  25. "
    A new life is created from a simple act of love.
    Pure magic.
    ."

    definitely magic..

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  26. Yes, all of it magical, but the "magician," whose tricks are merely illusions. Great piece!

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  27. Hi Keith, thanks for the reminder of how magical life can be. I really liked the ending also.

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  28. ..especially enjoyed your winter to spring... now that's magic...

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  29. You post was so whimsical and fun! I enjoyed it very much...there are special little magical moments in each thing.

    You have inspired me to make little lists of MAGIC all day!

    I appreciate your thoughtful comments on my blog today. Where I'm from, political moments are taken so seriously and are so one-sided that I was almost afraid to write about it! It's people like you who give writers and the ones who LIVE life a reason to be. Thanks! i'll be back.

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  30. LOVED the ending! yes, clever indeed. and, i agree, all else is magic. great post and thank you for reminding us of the magic we have in our lives already.

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  31. Hello Islander –

    This is a note to tell you I’m genuinely happy to see you on the Island. I founded the Island originally as a temporary destination for those of us set adrift when Poetry Thursday sunk. But the Island has flourished… because of writers, like you, who come to enjoy the tropical breeze, and just write -- for the sheer pleasure of it! So, the beaches remain open, and all are most welcome!

    Poetry Thursday is now ReadWritePoem. Check them out if you haven’t. The crew at Totally Optional Prompts is doing a fine job. Both are excellent writing destinations.

    I am slowed a bit with back pain. This has hampered my time at my computer -- so, I have not been able to read many of the posts. I will catch up when I’m steadier at the helm. I am dictating this to my wife, who will kindly post it for me. Kathy is a dear!

    See you on the island. I have a prompt for this Friday I think should spark some fun and interesting writing.

    May your muse be kind…

    …Rob
    W.I.

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