Special Halloween Edition

Witch (Bill Temple)

Witch

"Mommy, is the story of Hansel and Gretel true?"

"Of course not sweetie. There are no such things as witches, although..."

I remember when I was a child

an old woman lived next door

She was hunched, walked with a cane

Hooked nose, warts and her clothes were torn

She never came out during the day

Almost always stayed inside

You could see her peek through the curtains

But when she saw you, she would hide

But sometimes at night I saw her

In the shadows she would creep

She would come back late with someone

But once inside, you never heard a peep

Then children began to disappear

From their houses, late at night

No one had a clue what was happening

But I was sure I knew their plight

Si I went to the old woman's house

And told her what I thought

She smiled and said I was mistaken

What I was thinking, certainly was not

The someone I had seen her with

Only at nighttime, they would come

Were her grandson and granddaughter

Their family had an allergy to the sun

No more children disappeared

The old lady became my good friend

And I got to meet the grandchildren

We were all friends to the end

Then on cold winter's morning

I went next door, but she was gone

She left a letter, leaving me the house

And told me she had to move on

I miss her still, she taught me much

How to fatten up little girls and boys

To prepare the special ingredient

For her very special tasty meat pies

"Mommy what's happening? Your nose is growing and there are spots on your face and your hair..."

She taught me how to cure the meat

So it will keep a long, long time

And how to smoke it long enough

With wood of hickory, apple and pine

"Mommy, you're scaring me. You don't even look like my Mommy anymore. And your voice is loud and crackling."

I am your Mommy, my darling

So don't be afraid my little one

I am going to make you just like me

You'll be the best little witch, when I'm done

"I don't want to be a witch. I don't want to be like you. I want my Mommy back."

Now, now. Come my little angel

Its time your lessons did begin

I've got Tommy Tucker in the basement

Take this axe, we'll begin with him

July 12, 2013