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Salem
| Open Poetry #6 |
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Salem |
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Elizabeth
Moderator
Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871Minnesota |
(Pardon the length of this piece.I wanted to tell as much of the story as I could, and this is how it ended up. So thanks in advance to anyone who can finish reading this! Also special thanks to Sven, whose Black Rose poem inspired me to continue this piece when writer's block struck.) ‘Twas started on a dull and dreary bitter winter’s day, A game it was, not more than simply little girls at play. They’d talk of things girls talk about and have their fortunes read By a slave within the house-they loved to hear what she said. She’d tell the girls of spells and trances (voodoo if you will) And the girls they loved to hear it and could never have their fill. So it started from the mischief of a group of little girls- But when things began to happen, then the gossip spread in whirls. One girl grew very sickly and a cause they could not find- They knew not if it was physical or if it was in her mind. Others fell into convulsions and such awful screaming fits If you could have only seen them, you’d be sure they’d lost their wits. And the doctors they were brought in, but so little could they do- Yet this was caused by something-maybe witchcraft? But by who? The rumors started up then like a spark within a wood That flames and makes a field dry where once the trees have stood. “The Devil walks in Salem town!” The cry on every tongue “The witches must be punished! They will die! They will be hung!” They knew not who the witches were, but soon they would find out Who had black-magic powers and could bring these things about. The household slave was named as one, two other women too, And when the women three confessed, the horror in town grew. “The Devil is among us! Can we trust anyone at all?” News traveled fast from house to house, passed forward like a ball. The witches, taken to the jail, were tied up, bound and chained And kept beneath guards’ watchful eyes-and still the girls were pained! “Not all the witches have been caught!” The fear rose like a flame And grew as the possessed girls listed name and name and name. Shocked was the village to find out of those who were accused, Knew there was no hope of saving those with reputation bruised. A devout old Christian woman and a simple farmer’s wife, Never thinking that they would be named as two who’d lose their life And an aged man, never known to have hurt anyone at all- He also tried to save his wife, but on deaf ears fell his call. To the judge they were then taken and then did they testify Their innocence, but over that there was the young girls’ cry. “She pinches me!” one screamed out of the simple farmer’s wife. “What cause have you to bring these girls such hurt and pain and strife?” Rang out the judge-her husband tried to speak for her did he- “He is a wizard!” one girl spoke, “as evil just as she!” So all were taken to the jail and locked within a cell Where they thought of damning phrases that had turned their lives to hell. They talked, they hoped, they prayed to God that when their trials came The words of friends and family both would help to clear their name. But all their hopes were not to be, for when before the judge They testified their innocence, the man he would not budge. For every move the people made, the girls would imitate. “Call out your spirit!” yelled the judge. His voice was filled with hate. The verdict came-they were condemned! They all would die by noose! For that was how to save the town-death for the witches loose. But one accused did not plead-he would not say nay or aye For if he pled his innocence, he knew that he would die. But death was in the books for him, this aged but still strong man And since they could not hang him, they would do all that they can. “The planks and stones,” the judge declared, “will lay upon his chest. His plea will be brought out of him, or to death he will be pressed.” The stones were piled upon this man-“More weight!” he gasped, and died With half the town beside him and the judges by his side. The fate of this heroic man was heard by those in jail And they listened to his story, their eyes wide and faces pale. They’d known their was no hope for the-they knew it all along- That once branded as a witch, they would not last for very long. The town began to wonder if his innocence was true And as the days passed by, the doubts, though slowly, surely grew. But the seed of doubt was planted just a little bit too late For soon afterwards, two more accused were delivered to their fate. The farmer and the Christian woman woke early ‘fore the sun They knew this was they day in which their lives would both be done. The farmer told his wife he loved her and he said his last goodbye She turned away so that he would not notice if she’d cry. They spoke their last words to each other and then lead away was he Along the path to gallows and what all knew was to be. She thought of their unborn child, the reason she’d been spared, And the father of the baby and the love and life they’d shared. Now it was the end of summer-how long could all this go on? How many more would be accused? Would all the town be gone? The condemned two spoke their final words and prayed their very last They thought of happy days they’d had, now so far in the past. And then the noose was ‘round their necks-and then, then it was done! Now two more innocent were dead, from accusations spun. No one had listened to their pleas, no one had thought ‘twas true That the accused were innocent of witchcraft through and through. Eventually the fear died down, the accusations stopped, And the charges on the ones condemned eventually were dropped. So many pieces to pick up so as to go on with life But all Salem would remember all the trials, death, and strife. The town would always know the scar of the Salem witchcraft scare It resulted from their actions and it now was theirs to bear. And Salem taught a lesson all should keep in mind today- “Innocent ‘til proven guilty” when one’s accused, that is the way. (c)Ann Elizabeth Costello 3-23-2000 Thursday "He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him!" -The Crucible |
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| © Copyright 2000 Elizabeth A. Larson - All Rights Reserved | |||
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bobbycat Member
since 2000-02-06
Posts 233USA |
EXCELLENT story, Elizabeth. It is sad that the people of the past let their fear of the unknown get the better of them like that.....you did a wonderful job of telling the story.  Bobbycat =^..^= ~~Blessed Be!~~ |
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Elizabeth
Moderator
Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871Minnesota |
Thank you, Bobbycat! I was beginning to fear thatI had scared everyone with the length of this. Elizabeth "He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him!" -The Crucible |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Elizabeth~ Whew ! Breathless ! Not because of the length ... but this is a wonderful piece that dictated at least two readings before responding. You did an incredible job with this. The Witches Of Salem have fascinated people for eons ... this seemed an up close and personal walk with them to the gallows. Congratulations on the inspiration to see it through to completion. LUCKY US ! Darn .... my reply is almost as long as the poem. LOL !  One more WONDERFUL ... I'm outta here ! ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ [email protected] |
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Elizabeth
Moderator
Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871Minnesota |
Marge--what can I say? Thank you so much for your words. I am glad that you enjoyed it (and were able to finish it). It is good to know that people can identify with those in my poem. All were based on real people accused and condemned in the real Salem. Again, thank you so much. Elizabeth "He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him!" -The Crucible |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
If we are wise, we will learn from the mistakes of our ancestors, if they are wise, our future generations won't repeat ours...heaven help them and the earth if they do. |
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Elizabeth
Moderator
Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871Minnesota |
Wise words, Hoot. Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it. Elizabeth "He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him!" -The Crucible |
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