Sticks & Stones

She said she’d made a collection up

Of certain sticks and stones,

To cast a spell in a paper cup

That drank, would break his bones,

She followed him to the mountain top

And down to the pebbled beach,

But every time she got close enough

She found he was out of reach.

He’d seen her sat at her cottage hearth,

He’d watched her casting her spells,

He knew that something quite dreadful was

Heading his way as well,

She’d not been over forgiving when

He’d been well caught in a lie,

And watched the remains of repulsive spells

As they came stumbling by.

He got in the way of avoiding her,

He wouldn’t respond to her call,

That’s when she made her potion up,

No-one would have him at all!

She had a draught that would bring him down

If ever it passed his lips,

She cast her spell from the deepest well

And it only took two sips.’

He turned his collar across his face

You could only see his eyes,

Then swept on up with his cloak in place

When she slept, as the moon would rise,

He seized the potion sat on the hearth

And he poured it down her throat,

And heard the crackle of breaking bones

As she screamed, one long, high note.

She lies awake in the cottage gloom

But she can’t quite make a fist,

Her spells that lie in the darkened room

Are beyond her shattered wrist,

While he will sit, and read them aloud

Though he never will see her smile,

For every spell is part of the shroud

He will torch in a little while.

David Lewis Paget

Reviews

[emmajoy]

'He got in the way of avoiding her, -- He wouldn’t respond to her call, -- That’s when she made her potion up, -- No-one would have him at all! ' (Typical woman!!!)

As ever and always, superb meter and wonderful story-telling! She seems a somewhat snooty and unstable creature, certainly not someone you'd invite to dinner. But you did him proud, at the end he won, now sitting at the right hand of judgement, whilst she simmers, waiting.. done for!

Good stuff, well worth three reads and a grin at a perfect finish.