When Witches Burn

 

The witch burned and the little girl watched

An instinctual fear crawled from her head to her heart knowing she could be next. 

The witch burned and the little girl watched 

As the town continued cheering and she knew she could never be safe

She helped clean up the pyre thinking of ways to escape.

Another witch burned and the little girl watched 

And tried not to imagine herself being licked by the flames 

Even as the fire grew brighter and the only thing she could hear  was her heart beating 

As the town began cleaning up the pyre without her. 

Another witch burned and the little girl watched 

But her gaze was directed towards the woods where she saw a woman

And their eyes met briefly 

And the little girl felt a spark of hope rekindle in her chest. 

Another witch burned and the little girl watched 

No longer afraid of the fire as she crafted an image of herself

And kept her power secret even as she prayed to the goddess for safety 

Knowing each day could be her last. 

And so another witch burned and the little girl watched 

And vowed that she would never  be up there as she vanished into the woods 

And made a new home with people who were more like her.

 

 

 

Originally Posted: March 14,2023