This friendship knew a friendship brewed,
A list of truths so long and trued.
Spells and bound by what could be,
I was in for witchery.

In the nights I'd felt such pain,
Magic turned that hurt to gain.
And 20 years of nicotine,
Disappeared and I am clean.

"He's a trickster" I was told,
"Magic tricks turn steel to gold".
I learnt of friendship alchemy,
In the days of '23.

To be deprived but yet so whole,
Full of fear but in control.
To know life's short so early on,
And stepping out of civil con.

Paid the dues with hard earned cash,
And let it go, we don't look back.
Freedom came believing in
Losing most so we could win.

Sign away and take the gold,
Life is long when you've been sold.
I walked into an empty room,
And in your eyes I stood with you.

Magic tricks had come to play,
Perhaps they came to save the day,
But seems my friendship alchemist
Was somewhat of a catalyst.

Super ordinary it may be,
Not quite magic now it seems.
After years to find consent,
There was left a small percent.

We had fought and found a way,
To try again in the decay.
Hope had shrunk into a stone,
And then I prayed to be alone.

Mercy came, there was no wand,
Just a friend to lean upon.
Relief had come and you were there,
And I would have you anywhere.


© Natasha Desai