that old magic

The old magic works,
the magic that I learned so painfully
through many years.
Who would have thought that after eighty years
the game could still be played,
the old rules still effective…?
I am not, never was, tall, handsome, or attractive
and so I had to learn a subtle mastery of words
to woo a woman and gain her interest.
It was my only asset, and it’s worked again
To bring a sweetly positive response
from a woman I admire in many ways.
Well, this does my self-esteem and ego good.
My joy is not in conquest, but much more modest –
recognition, acknowledgment that I’m worth knowing,
a counter to the underlying doubt
so many of us have about ourselves.