it’s magic
when you’re only three
leaves change from green to
red and yellow flames
and caterpillars fall asleep
to awaken as butterflies
tiny black tadpoles swish
their tails through pond water
and slowly transform
into croaking frogs
until the school bell rings for you
the curtain is pulled down
and the wizard is exposed
whimsy dies and science takes its place
–
when you’re three
magic fills the air
changing leaves
butterflies
then science beckons to you
whimsy dies to facts