The Wizard of Us

Peek behind the curtain.

Am I the wizard you expected?

Control never looked so tentative,

a bit of a mystery,

but not bigger than life—

small, but able,

plain, but willing.

                                               

Draw back the curtain.

Are you the one with the ruby-red slippers

who can click home whenever,

while I twist dials, draw strings,

do things that need doing—

disappointed, but determined,

misjudged, but committed.

Move past the curtain.

Am I the cog you expected?

The system is bigger than me,

but I’m here,

doing what I must—

insecure, but passionate,

diminutive, but necessary.

Pull aside the curtain.

Am I the wizard you expected?

In this odd land of

wonder and obligation,

promise and jeopardy,

ordinary miracles can pour, perhaps,

from everyday people.

Lilly Green

 6-4-07