Psychic? Poem by Paula Glynn

Psychic claims of the 20th century
Falsely appearing to use extrasensory perception
ESP a supernatural ability or a false ability
The psychic to be believed, their claims conceived
Their aim to trick people successfully achieved.

The psychic often performing on stage
Prestidigitation and cold reading all the rage
People in awe to now stand up and praise
The false psychic, tricks up his sleeve
The public hoping and wanting to believe.

Famous psychics including Edgar Cayce, Ingo Swann
Peter Hurkos, Janet Lee, Miss Cleo
John Edward, Sylvia Browne, and Tyler Henry
Psychic powers asserted by psychic detectives who prevent burglary
In practices such as psychic archaeology and even psychic surgery.

The cynical to attribute psychic ability to trickery or self delusion
Perhaps the psychic just wanting attention, causing confusion
Perhaps the psychic wanting easy money
And knowing people will fall for their tricks
But the criteria of online psychics strict.

The U.S. National Academy of Sciences giving a report
On the subject and concluding there is psychic sport
'No scientific justification from research
Conducted over a period of 130 years
For the existence of parapsychological phenomena'

Tests to include a memory test to ascertain
If post-test information would affect it
'Failed to produce significant effects' and thus no respect
'Do not support the existence of psychic ability' of this kind
Proof of psychic ability they unfortunately did not find.

But years back there was divination and celebration
Years back there was fortune telling, magic to be conceived
And astrology where practitioners believed
The relative positions of celestial bodies could lend insight into people's lives
And even predict their future circumstances where there'd be pride.

Seers formed a functionary role in early civilization
Often serving as advisors, priests, and judges
Seers In Egypt, the priests of the sun deity Ra at Memphis acting as seers
In ancient Assyria seers were referred to as nabu
Meaning 'to call' or 'announce" and fate steer.

Psychics are sometimes featured in science fiction and fantasy fiction
Examples of fiction featuring characters with psychic powers
Include the Star Wars franchise, characters with friction
Which features 'Force-sensitive' beings, detecting emotions sour
Who can see into the future and move objects telekinetically.

Along with Dungeons & Dragons and some of authors discovered
The works of Stephen King, amongst many others
Psychics being told in stories, psychics seen as impossible
Making claims they know the future and what people will do
But their predictions sometimes do come true.