The tale of Moll Dyer

The tale of Moll Dyer

A Poem by Carlos Lorenzo Estrada
"

Based on the urban legend of a woman accused of witchcraft and died alone frozen upon a rock.

"
The Tale of Moll Dyer 

By

Carlos Lorenzo Estrada 


"I think we all have empathy. We may not have enough courage to display it." -Maya Angelou


Can you hear the Ravens caw 
upon the desolate stone

A mournful cry that can't deny
Ghostly spirit all alone 

The autumn leaves that fall from breeze, 
drifting slowly down below

In a canopy of eldritch trees
Where grass will never grow 

What brought her here in wretched fear
Is a mystery of unknown act.

Deceptive lies of puritan faith
Which distorted truths from fact.

Forsaken land in rotted earth
Mimics those that lived therein

For fears of superstitious rites
revealed judgemental sin

They took to foot to burn the witch
They felt had lived in midst 

Put flame upon her small abode
As she fled into the mist.

In blinding rage they howled to moon
As they condemned their souls to hell

No men of God should ever offend 
With evil hearts so fell.

what becomes of us in mortal lust
When paradise is lost

To commit the worst of wicked vice
And pay the highest cost

And so in winter's night she wept 
Flung herself upon frozen stone

In the cold of night and end of plight 
She died there all alone 

Take heed in words which speak of her
Let us vow to always see

That even in poorest and least of us
Resides humanity 






© 2021 Carlos Lorenzo Estrada


Author's Note

Carlos Lorenzo Estrada
A folklore tale about the woman who would inspire the movie The Blair Witch. The truth if believed is worse than the legend for it reflects badly upon us as a species.

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Reviews

Even the worst of us has some humane qualities; they may be discreet but they show…in some way or form; even a witch can have empathy “ what becomes of in mortal lust when paradise is lost”…..must we throw. Ourselves to the wolves? No, in our hearts we can find kindness, feelings deep down and realize others’ blight.
Great read Carlos
Best
B.

Posted 3 Years Ago


Carlos Lorenzo Estrada

3 Years Ago

That one line in the poem has always struck me as apart from the main theme and yet essential to its.. read more
Betty Hermelee

3 Years Ago

You’re always welcome !
I words, you "literally" took me to that place,
for witch I can never forgive you!
So despairing, so well-written!


Posted 3 Years Ago


Carlos Lorenzo Estrada

3 Years Ago

Thank you Dylan for the kind words I appreciate it. This was a harrowing piece to write because it t.. read more
The Puritans (an ironic name considering all the impure things they've done) were prone to mass hysteria. But, they are just a mirror, or maybe a scapegoat we can point to for man has not really changed. There's always a new group of "witches" that need to be eradicated in a frenzy of guilty projections.

Your poem, the mood, and the syntax you use, interestingly, reminds me of Anne Bradstreet - a puritan poet.

Posted 3 Years Ago


Carlos Lorenzo Estrada

3 Years Ago

Thank you Laz for your thoughts on this poem. I would probably categorize myself as agnostic leaning.. read more
One of the most interesting characters in legend. I have used her in some tale. Carlos, I liked the history shared and the story of Moll Dyer. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

Posted 3 Years Ago


Carlos Lorenzo Estrada

3 Years Ago

Thank you CP for the kind words. I had seen a couple of videos then read up on the folklore of this .. read more
Coyote Poetry

3 Years Ago

A very good write and you are welcome Carlos.
I never saw the film which inspired this write Carlos, but I have read so much about medieval witchcraft, the accusations and the punishments. Basically if you were suspected you were doomed to death. I was reminded of the ducking stool. If you drowned you were innocent, if you survived you were guilty., then came the burning at the stake. Not surprised you'd choose the freezing elements over the fire. How cruel those puritanical times were. Still like it in some parts of the world, even now. People scare me you know, that they can lack any humanity at all abd act like starving beasts.

Chris

Posted 3 Years Ago


Carlos Lorenzo Estrada

3 Years Ago

Thank you Chris you are absolutely correct. We are like starving beasts. Filled with hate and rage f.. read more
Chris Shaw

3 Years Ago

Carlos, you are more than welcome.
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Such a hauntingly sad piece you delivered ...yes a puritan society and a puritan mindset always portray women in poor light and being the weaker sex ,she withstand this plight in silence!Why nobody tried to see her viewpoint,,always judgemental ...that reflects the poor dilapidated condition of a society!


Very well penned my friend

Posted 3 Years Ago


Carlos Lorenzo Estrada

3 Years Ago

Thank you my friend for your thoughts I totally agree. It's a shame our history here is filled with .. read more
as legend has it in those years of yore
many witches we're burned at the stake
this is a tale you tell well in a haunting
rhyme scheme ..such harsh judgements
and heartless treatments cast upon those
who were thought to be witches ..

nice work here..Carlos


Posted 3 Years Ago


Carlos Lorenzo Estrada

3 Years Ago

Thank you Fran for your thoughts on this poem. It is heartbreaking that someone would lose their lif.. read more
  Fran Marie

3 Years Ago

you re s o welcome
That was beautiful Carlos! You really set the scene with the opening words: "Can you hear the ravens caw upon the desolate stone". So poetic. So mournful. I remember reading The Crucible a few years ago in a literature class. A local theater was doing the play, so we went to see it. Amazing. And harmful dogma continues. I'm hooked on a Netflix show, Greenleaf, that underscores that.

Posted 3 Years Ago


Carlos Lorenzo Estrada

3 Years Ago

Thank you Shelley for your kind review of this poem. I had seen a short documentary on famous Witche.. read more
Shelley Warner

3 Years Ago

Wow, what a sad story. I like Greenleaf because it shows how religion can be good and can be bad and.. read more
Shelley Warner

3 Years Ago

P.S. I know it's not the same as the Salem witch trials, but it shows how religion can turn bad. I'm.. read more
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MCS
Excellent piece of writing my gifted friend.
So much of human history is shameful :(


Posted 3 Years Ago


Carlos Lorenzo Estrada

3 Years Ago

Thank you MCS for your thoughts on this work I truly appreciate it. As artists we look to the past t.. read more
This is superb writing & thinking, drawing from an overall wide knowledge-base. Someone read one of my Halloween poems the other day & commented: "sounds like bad religion" along with a vow to be wary about reading me anymore. Humans are hilarious to me, so bound by their judgemental strictures (((HUGS)))

Posted 3 Years Ago


Carlos Lorenzo Estrada

3 Years Ago

It's their loss Margie if they can't appreciate your incredible art and truthful wit in words. It's .. read more
barleygirl

3 Years Ago

Aw, gawrsh! You're the best! *smile*

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Added on September 17, 2021
Last Updated on September 17, 2021
Tags: love hope faith brotherhood

Author

Carlos Lorenzo Estrada
Carlos Lorenzo Estrada

salinas , CA



About
If I can say something worth saying that makes just one person think about others...I'll try. The greatest storyteller was my grandmother. I miss her stories. Also, I would like to add to please pay.. more..

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