Witch

Witch they whispered,
their hushed tones were swept
up by the biting wind.

Witch they called her
as her wild red hair tangled
around her face amid the bluster.

Witch  they branded her,
too deft with her knowledge
too comely and too unattached.

Witch  they accused,
strange concoctions shelved in her home
all rooted from nature.

Healer they had addressed her,
when gashes and broken bones
trilled for her skill and potions.

Witch  they decided
despite the relief she once granted,
but superstition was their new religion.

Witch  they burned, her screams human,
bestowing her forgiveness, her pain would cease
but for the ignorant masses it was just beginning.

Witch they murmured, swallowing their own breaths
doubt burrowed deeply into troubled souls
as snow began to fall in frozen alabaster tears mixing softly with the ash.

Witch they wondered.

late at night when the darkness came

too afraid to ever speak lest they become witches too.

Reviews

[Daffy]

Wonderful and very true of England in the 1500's (?) I loved the subtle change of the thoughts as the witch hunters realised they may have been mistaken. Witches.....it was no good being clever in those days. We were either thrown into a luny bin, (lunatic asylum), gaol, or burnt at the stake. I would have preferred the drowning method. Tied to a chair and dipped into a pond. If I survive, I am a witch, if I drown, I am innocent. At least I get to prove my innocence!!
Ps: nice touch with the decreasing font size directly proprtional to the uncertainty. Daffy

[icelandicblue]

Thanks so much Daffy and for that marvelous history lesson. It did not good being different did it? Thank you for the fav. I do appreciate it.

[Lyn Anderson]

A wonderful tale woven with skill and empathy.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you. People suffer under many labels I think.

[AprilRN1210]

you have a way of writing that makes me want to just keep reading.. the flow of this vivid magical write was enchanting.. felt like a teaser for a story that makes me run to the counter with it---rushing home to read... ignorance is a powerful thing when mixed with fear... people do desperate things... think crazy thoughts... history has proven that.. this tale has a little of everything.. so entertaining.. I like the construction of this and the change of font is well done and reinforces the power of each word.. I thoroughly enjoyed this one:)
oh yes! makes me want to go dig up a witchy book now...

[icelandicblue]

I am reading a witchy book right now. Thanks so much April.

[AprilRN1210]

Looks like I will be soon!... you're more than welcome.. I am a fan.

[Terpsichore]

The witch hunts go on even in these modern times. No-one is burned at the stake as such, but the results are just as destructive. It's the persecution of minorities, those perceived to be different, and be it for religious, political, or any number of other so-called ideological reasons, lives, families, careers, are destroyed forever, and beneath the righteous surface, there is always a personal motivation.

I like the progression here from hysteria to doubt.

T

[icelandicblue]

The word witch really is a metaphor for anything different, foreign or misunderstood. It is used for gain whether it be religious, political, social or financial. We burn them in new and innovative ways. We are still the creatures who pointed the finger in the first place and accused someone of being a witch. I do think deep down we all feel we could be next, especially those with guilty consciences. Thank you again for such an insightful review.

[Pryde Foltz]

Thank you for this poem, Anne. The Wisp is inhabited by witches but like you I think it is very important to remember that in real life women are often labeled witches so they can be stolen from. Great job with this write.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you Pryde, unfortunately it is an age-old story. Land or disagreement over land was a powerful motivator to get a strong woman out of the way here in Salem and the surrounding towns. Isolation, jealousy and greed were ingredients too. More than once it has been said,that the Salem witchcraft was the rock on which theocracy shattered in the development of the government in the United States...
— George Lincoln Burr

[emmajoy]

There are witches and - there are witches! Many past (and present witches - truth be known), were respectful gatherers of plants and all else living, they were makers of remedies; they were observers of seasons, time of clock and so much more. Their powers were amazing, people of all standing looked to them but, they were also feared and doubted.

Sorry, won't go on, this isn't my page but yours, and, gloriously yours. You've dealt with the subject in such a way that you've lead readers from small steps to giant strides in your font and length of stanzas and - all the time, created an amazingly powerful atmosphere.

'.. .. as snow began to fall in frozen alabaster tears mixing softly with the ash.'

[icelandicblue]

Ah what we don't understand we fear...it's so sad because there is so much to lean and know. Thank you for pointing out that line emmajoy.

[willweb]

What a tale of misunderstanding and hatred. The shame that will live on and the promise of only darkness in their future. I really liked this creepy but wonderfully written work of art today. I would say this enchnated me, I could not look away once ai started reaing.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you so much willweb. I am sorry I missed this review but I am happy that you could not look away. Take care.

[TL Boehm]

Oh. Touches on so many things this one. The stupidity of fear mixed with ignorance. The cruelty we impinge on others because they're different. The stifling grip of doctrines, cultures, religions without understanding - and we take our nurturers, our healers and destroy them.
Yup. This is a heavy write. Made me think. And that's a very good thing.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you Tammy. The fear of the unknown is often the kindling of ignorance. Thanks again.

[Bright Ocean Star]

Iceblue, this one is fantastic. It is a history lesson wrapped in a poem wrapped in a prosaic story. This was a dark time in Salem...a dark time for everyone involved. So appropriate to this month's witching hour as we draw close to the 31st. It gives a perspective of the innocent that is so often overlooked. The only thing you left out is the option to dunk them into the water to see if they floated...quite grizzly all the way around. A brilliant write, though. Thank you..:)

[icelandicblue]

Thank you Bright Open Star...I opted for fire because of its finality.

Thank,
read moreThank you Bright Open Star...I opted for fire because of its finality.

Thank,

Anne

[icelandicblue]

Oh and then there was the man in Salem who was pressed to death. I have to give him his chutzpah he called out for more weight! But on a more somber note he was 71 and it took him two days to die. How perfectly awful.

[Bright Ocean Star]

Ouch! Pressed to death? Like in a huge, human-sized vice? And it took him two days to die? I thought draw and quartering was bad.... nnnnnasty business! :(

[icelandicblue]

No with rocks piled on top of him. Seriously? How grotesque.

[Bright Ocean Star]

Ok, this conversation has gotten decidedly gruesome...I'm so glad you are up with me at this late hour..:) All paper grading is over for the night?

[icelandicblue]

Yes, but the semester draws near and grading will be at a frenzied pace very soon.

[Bright Ocean Star]

Yes, but you are on the east coast and this is quite late for you. Don't you have to be up bright and early with the little ones? I admire you teachers so much. It takes so much talent to manage so many bodies and minds in the same classroom day in and day out. I bet you are a really good teacher.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you Bright Ocean Star. That is a very kind thing to say!

[Rita L. Sev]

What an awesome interpretation of the Witch Trials; the paranoia, the brutality, the inevitable remorse... Excellent, Blue!

[icelandicblue]

I haven often wondered how those who knew them slept at night. Thank you Rita.