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.

[Donald Meikle]

being somewhat witchy I have always wondered why none of them spoke up. It's not that hard to say three of you will burn with me. Or take your chances, mess with me or go home safely.
I guess they burned innocents, and will again until they meet one.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you for your comment.

[Einstein Noodle]

well done! spell binding the whole way through .. great season to be posting .. not only Holloween but two blood moons in the same year; with two more to come next year .. so glad i happened to see them both .. lots of superstitions connected .. lots of fears and awe .. anyway .. nice job on this poem Icey .. it carries the weight of insight into an ugly history; still applicable today .. great read for me!
E.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you so much Einstein for leaving such a thoughtful review ! ; )

[PoetryPenPal]

This poem was very strong. I loved the concept and how many ways one could look at it.

[icelandicblue]

Thank you so much PoetryPenPal.

[PoetryPenPal]

No problem.

[therisa]

Each generation has their own "witches", which society has an ambagious relationship with. Often, those, who live outside of the "norms", of everyday life. In the past, it was strong independent women, now, it's LGBT. Thank you, for sharing this historical base poem.

[icelandicblue]

You are right therisa, yesterday's witches can be today's liberated women in all aspects of society. Thank you for pointing that out. History surely does repeat itself.

[David Scott]

Ignorance and fear have long ruled the mob mentality...
We should guard ourselves from falling into such traps.
We become as victimized as those who we persecute.
Great write for Oct! Or any time...

[icelandicblue]

So true, psychology shows that pairings or small groups make much better decisions rooted in their own morality that large groups that get swept away. Thanks so much for commenting.

[A. Amos]

Poetry read like a story, such a strong subject and you portrait truly well. Bravo!

[icelandicblue]

Thank you for your kind words A.

[A. Amos]

You're most welcome my friend

[jacob erin-cilberto]

interesting...when we need someone, we plead for that person to help us...we are non-judgmental...but then we turn on a dime....and that dark part of us cries out the negatives and the judgments...

i was reading this thinking of the time i was in Salem...and we drove past the witches' house there...

all the lore....fascinating and tragic at the same time.

[icelandicblue]

So true jacob. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.