A Witch's Confession

This poem was inspired by the book linked below and is written from the perspective of the unjustly accused.

Salem Witch Trials: A Reference Guide By K. David Goss

The dull and boresome afflicted,

Aimlessly accuse those unaffected,

Casting their aspersions,

Whispering of my conversion.

Under the Cross’ jurisdiction,

Through complete fiction.

Claims of consorting with the devil,

Aiming to simply dishevel,

Causing due haste and fear,

All while they sneer.

The crowd shouts for my head,

The judgement, now widespread.

The afflicted displace their shame,

Knowing the dirt brought on their names.

Taking part in the dark arts,

Ruined their young hearts.

Breaking the holy law,

Creating a lust and fatal flaw,

The major sin I now pay for,

When I just owned a bookstore.

My deepest convictions won’t save me.

I must claim witchcraft in bitter irony.

Though false and against my savior,

It is the only surviving behavior.

Those who confess and take the risk,

Avoid the shackles on their wrists.

The tightening of the noose,

Loosened by the feigned excuse.

Now I must perform

To avoid dropping from the platform

Plenty of those before me

Have died in unjust scrutiny

I will claim the devil as my lover

To refrain from eternal suffer.