Real

1

We show her Disney films

and read her fairy tales.

When she asks if magic’s real,

we say no—

not the kindly teapot

with the elephant-trunk spout

or the squeezable

keychain globe.

2

Yet tails grow new heads

which are somehow able to recall

where shocks were delivered

      Once upon a time

before the bodies were severed.

3

No, men don’t fly.

Snakes won’t grow

from women’s heads

no matter what is done to them.

There are no kings

in the dead world.