Out From Within the Shadow

What Do You Do When You See a Magpie?

Do you greet him

and wish him Good Day

to keep the evil spirits at bay

or do you look for another

to bring you joy

or 3 or 4

for a girl or a boy?

Do you try to keep positive in your life

by asking the magpie

after the health of his wife?

Is 5 or 6 your silver or gold

or the heaven and hell

from another rhyme told?

Is 7 a secret not to be revealed

or is it the devil,

as his own self,

concealed?

Does 8 bring you wishes

and kisses from 9

and does ten bring you love

or a blissful time?

Where one rhyme stops at 7

others include twelve and eleven

with health and wealth the sign,

although the ending's the same,

thirteen is a screen,

for the devil to appear not as thine.