Tangent II

The airish* people have their charm,

The leprechaun his treasured gold,

The fearsome jinn his wishes three,

The elven maid her snares of love,

But they are fleeting as the breath

Of coolness on an August eve

(No more substantial are their gifts).

Our quest for magic drives us on

To seek in flesh, and blood, and more,

A fuller magic than before.

Written ‘79

*”Airish” people is archaic English for “aerial” beings, such as sprites, etc..