Whispers and Words #4 | A Fair Exchange

***

The snow-covered peak
Was well within my sight
When a girl smoking a cigarette
Caught my wandering eye.

Can you spare one for me, I asked.
Sure, but I don't have a lighter, she replied.

A girl with cigarettes, but no lighter,
Foolish, but she had the spirit of a fighter,
I had left my entire group behind,
Well, everyone except her.

Like an incorrigible addict
Looking for a fix, there I was,
Bothering random passers-by
Until I successfully borrowed a lighter.

What do I get in return for the cigarette, she asked.
And without waiting for my reply,
You have to click my picture, she said.
Can I read you my poem instead, I replied.
If you like it, you can give me a cigarette.
If you don't, I'll be on my way.

And so we went all the way to the summit,
Bugging strangers for a lighter.
She had enough cigarettes.
And I had written enough poems.

***

After reading the above poem, an obvious question would pop up in your mind about the girl as well as the cigarettes, considering I do write poems. I won't answer that question. Instead, I'll ask you a question myself. Did J K Rowling hang out with witches and wizards to get the inspiration for writing Harry Potter?

Whatever you believe, this is just a poem. If it made you smile, my job is done. There is nothing more to it.

Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

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