In anticipation of Halloween

No young widow should own such land,
Spurn magistrate’s proffered hand,
Spread poison of free thought
Without proper guidance from men,
Who must posses illicit powers unimagined,
Town must purge itself, cleanse her sins.
A merry bonefire burned, scourged
Sulfur reek of dwimmercraft.
Ammonia scented smoke
Perfumed dank autumn air.
Sweet aroma of slow-roasted pork
Choked most gluttonous appetite
As glory of casting pitch
Overcame sense of throwing stones.
A joyous day in township’s square,
Seventeenth century pornography show
Stripped witches of tattered bodices.
Naked they came, naked to be sent forth,
All good Puritans’ common fantasy,
Their ordained discomfort.
Sunday’s sermon rang in chosen ears,
Whip them, rack them, and hang them…
“Thee spat twice at me with foul evil eye,
This one did lust unnaturally. That one did
Curdle milk when she spoke sharp-tongued in anger,
Though all I gave was affection’s laughing slap,
Mere gentlemanly appreciation of woman’s form,
Tell me, what wench does not desire such?”
Blameless Salem,
Shameless testimony from those who slept well,
Heeded chapel’s bell; worshiped loud with wife and family.
Passed considered judgment on unworthy
Neighbors, those who might usurp
Good name or high community standing
Before curt demand, no disturbance, under pain of
Righteous switch
It’s time to bed newest serving girl
Until displeasure reigns, or meat is spilled,
Or miraculous conception occurs
Then
One
More
Witch
Must
Swing from
Hangman’s
Gibbet.