Upon the huge hearth, a large pot was hung.
The fire’s glow gave the cottage a cozy warm feel.
On the beams, dried herbs were strung
and there was, by the window, a big spinning wheel.

There was a black cat with bright green eyes
that gazed at you with a steady, intelligent glare.
Of course, all of these things, certainly gave rise
to rumors that a witch certainly lived there.

The occupant of this cozy cottage in the wood
wasn’t old nor was she ugly and bent.
She was beautiful, kind and very very good
and that was from where her troubles were sent.

She seemed to attract the men from the town.
It didn’t matter if they were married or single.
She didn’t have to dress in a beautiful gown
to make the men, with her, want to mingle.

So, here she was sitting up late one quiet night,
where she’d spent all evening in front of the fire.
She’d read books her grandmother gave her, by candlelight,
and found a recipe to shrivel men’s heated desire.

All the next night and into the day,
she chanted and spelled into her huge pot.
She needed and wanted these men to stay away,
because she wanted to stay on her family’s wooded plot.

That next night, as each one of her would-be beaus
arrived at her door with flowers and sweets,
she handed them a cup to a fountain that flows
just outside her door and tasted of heavenly treats.

As one by one, they left with a glazed expression,
her smile…she wasn’t even trying to hide,
for they had lost their silly and un-asked for obsession.
She silently thanked her grandmother, with familial pride.

She was weary and needed a bath and some sleep.
He spoke to her from out of the dark and the gloom.
‘That was a great trick, but even that won’t keep
ME away and get me so easily out of this room!’


Startled, she turned and saw him standing there.
He was the quiet one that never before had talked to her.
Handsome he was, for he had golden hair,
bright blue eyes and a curiously appealing allure.


She had thought he had come along
with the men, just out of curiosity’s sake.
He’d never joined in making up a song
and never did he any advance to her make.

She was puzzled and she realized, happy.
He was unlike all the others and that was just fine.
He told her of his love and how he felt sappy.
Smiling, she brought out an old bottle of wine.

Together they lived happily in the house in the wood.
Never again was she troubled by those silly men.
Now she had a man that certainly would
put them in their place if they came around HIS den.

SilverCelticMoon, June 30, 2002
Copyright © SilverCelticMoon(C. Sullivan) 2002