There are guys who think they have charm br and are so confidently wrong that br the molecules in our stomach grate together br as we watch them get away with it br br and those who don’t know they have it br and are deservedly babe-magnets br and what makes you think I envy them br br and those who know they have it br but behave like gentlemen br so we try to like them br br and those who so successfully br have it and overuse it that br we call upon the Fates and Furies br saying hey did you see that guy over there br br you, I think, Billy Collins br know you have it but br don’t rate it as important br as writing poetry, so br br one moment, it’s a one-liner br waiting for the full second house; br br another, taking the short cab ride br from the Algonquin to the New Yorker br smiling secretly but br purely from the pleasure of sharing itself; br br or sometimes, it’s chiselled perfectly br on a fragment of smooth white marble br lifted out of the Aegean Sea br which sparkles timelessly br because that’s how it isbr br Michael Shepherdbr br