A couple days ago someone asked me if I knew a poem about the value of mindful preparation and repetition, about how practice makes perfect. I couldn't think of one, so here's one I wrote, imperfect as it is.
look effortless, to rehearse it
right a hundred time so it goes
right once, to divert everyone’s
attention but your own from the task
at hand so while they’re looking up
your sleeve, you’re pulling a well-groomed
rabbit from a well-worn hat
and the audience gasps as all that
hard work vanishes into thin air.
Magic
The trick is to make the effortlook effortless, to rehearse it
right a hundred time so it goes
right once, to divert everyone’s
attention but your own from the task
at hand so while they’re looking up
your sleeve, you’re pulling a well-groomed
rabbit from a well-worn hat
and the audience gasps as all that
hard work vanishes into thin air.
Dear Mr. Zirm:
ReplyDeleteYou have truly mastered the art of astonishment. Not only did you refresh my resolve to improve, but I'm amazed that you also captured a seldom mentioned magician's secret: the essence of most magic is not the demonstration of skill, but is the CONCEALMENT of it.
As your fellow magician, I am humbled by your wizardry... again.
Thank you.
The Great Runfola