Once pushed
from the top of the stairs
it is supposed to swing itself
end over end
to the bottom,
but how many times does it instead
come to a quivering stop
only partway down?

Do this often enough
and you will become frustrated
and scorn its alleged magic;

sit instead with it in your hands
and bounce it back and forth,
stretch it out, fan the coils
like a deck of undealable cards;

eventually discard it
or give it away
or sell it to some sucker at a yard sale.

But you always buy
another one,
usually at a yard sale,
certain that this time
will hold the charm —
you,
a middle aged man
who will never learn.