Gift of Magi

By Alifiya Hanif

Have you heard of madly in love?

The over romanticized crazy stupid love?

Have you lived a life of fairy tales, happy endings and movie takes?

The gift of magi with words they played,

She asked for answers to impart his pain,

He gave no answers, bearing and suffering and smiling still.

Clueless she found answers herself,

Imagined the worst, clouding each night with fear and angst,

Clueless he slept, thinking he had borne it all, his love was happy not knowing at all.

Each destroyed by their judgement,

Each shattered to keep the other safe,

Each offering help like Midas in reverse,

Touching and turning happy gold hearts to dirt and grey.

They were like magi, sacrificing for nothing,

Forgetting marriage was not only confessing love,

But confessing shortcomings, fear and hurt.

Talking was the key which the magi had forgotten,

Hence telling this tale in all times and ages,

Of how the magi had lived and loved,

Rephrasing the same tale in different worlds,

Telling how a ring meant nothing without those words,

How a word kept meant everything,

And silence made the loudest noise between them.

By Alifiya Hanif