Magic (a reality check)

You cannot tether magic to a pole. It won't work in the long run. The magic won't change its nature, but the longer the arrangement lasts, the more it will seep into the leash or the chain. Eventually it will touch the pole itself and the pole will stop being a pole. It will lose the ability to hold back the flood. Magic is eternal. Because it is everchanging, it will always stay true to itself.

(btw, my reality checks are NOT like those of other people. Always stay true to who you are in the real world)