The Woman in Black

I wrote this in 2009, it's about woman empowerment more than a story telling, though...

Protection, provision was provided by her

Sickness and illness warded off by her

Suspicion and schemes hath shadowed her

Now her kindness in turn shall betray her

She kicked and she flailed as she fought for her life

She screamed and she cried as she sought after her rights

They beat her, they stamped her, they fed her with pain

They wanted to hear from her; a confession they attained

The woman in black, mysterious was she

In times of trouble, they turned towards her

The woman in black, their pain she healed

In times of reward, they turned against her

At the stake they came, the spectacle to see

Some came to see, some came to mourn

No one could see the trouble that was borne

Now they had lost, they lost their woman in black

Numb and mindless, she was led to the stakes

“Witch!” they screamed, “Witch!” they cried

Soulless eyes, they stared at the crowd

Hopeless and harmless, she awaited her fate

The chains sang as they bound her securely

The fires danced and crackled hungrily

The crowds they mocked her constantly

False confessions flow from her steadily

The woman in black, mysterious was she

In times of trouble, they turned towards her

The woman in black, their pain she healed

In times of reward, they turned against her

At the stake they came, the spectacle to see

Some came to view, some came to mourn

Towards her, they now showed her their backs

Now they had lost, they lost their woman in black

She was fed to the fires where they thought she belonged

She was flailing in pain as her flesh was scorched

She screamed in anger for the gratitude they showed

The fires consumed her, save her soul that was scorned

The people left slowly, the burning was over

Her soul was cursed and in pain it lived on forever

Unloved and uncared for she now felt

Treacherous and ungrateful the people had been

Such an event she had never foreseen

She secretly smiled for the loss they now met

At the stake they came, the spectacle to see

Some came to witness, some came to mourn

Towards her, they now showed her their backs

Now they had lost, they lost their woman in black

Reviews

[StarNinja]

There always has to be a scape goat, eh? No one likes to think the universe is a random place where things happen on accident and without reason. But if blaming God doesn't satisfy everyone's grief what do you do? How about blaming the weird lady that lives down the way? Yeah, she's the reason our lives are so miserable. Or what about those Jews by the well? Or those Commies in our basement? Or those left-leaning tree hugging liberals just waiting and plotting from the coffee house? Looking for a scape goat is human nature and human nature sucks sometimes. Thanks for the interesting poem!

[Syed Ali]

Well written. Read it like 3 times in one go. I am always amazed by your work. Keep it up :)

[Maryum Mazhar]

This is awesome! :D

[Richard Williams]

A harsh and intense story, well written and memorable.

[Coyote Poetry]

People who are different are always torture and abused. The lady in black when needed was important. When she needed friends. There was no-one there for her. Thank you for a powerful story. A outstanding poem.
Coyote

[Pitta S Dev]

Great write...