*****

Recorded Reading (3:46): https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/j5jwd9ae73zyvpue5rdvn/What-s-a-Witch.mp3?rlkey=o7n882ku3i3b2c2uwju07k99s&dl=0

*****

What’s a Witch?

I see your glance go sideways,
Your lips a little twitch ~
If you had the courage,
You’d ask me if I were a witch

My all-purpose thick black cloak,
Which keeps me warm and dry
On walks which you’d not care to take,
My open face seems to deny

But I think it is the aura
Of independent female pow’r
Which really is what is behind
The suspicions of the hour

So let me start by reassuring
Of my dedication to
The inherent principles
Which Jesus Christ brought us to view:

Honesty, integrity, humility,
Gratitude I claim as mine
As much as any other servant
Of the great Divine

I have studied all religions
Of Earth’s history
The diff’rences between them
Do not seem that great to me

From Africa to England
From China to Tibet
Consult their sacred texts
Those are the qualities you get

Along with other universal
Charact’ristics sacred of:
Willing generosity
Compassion, patience, love,

Forgiveness of your enemies,
Dedication to
Those who give their friendship
To fortunate you…

In every single discipline,
A great variety
Of closed-minded and self-righteous
Worshippers there be

Just as some Christians I have known
Who sin from waking up
Until the last dregs taken are
From their bedtime cup

While others genuinely try
The lofty tenets realize
For which those called the highest
All perpetually strive

In just the same way, there all manner
Of purported “witches” be,
From nature loving healers
To lovers of insanity

In the handling of the first
A “spell” be nothing more
Than those same words which are rehearsed
Sacred prayer for

Ending with the same
Intention, for “So mote it be”
Has exact same meaning
As the church’s “Amen” — we

Have used formulas throughout time
Which routine became,
When closely viewed, uncannily
Are very much the same

I love God, I love Jesus,
And Guan Yin and Yemanya,
Ngai and Wakan-Tanka —
If I never wear a bra

And shave my head, and go around
Sporting a facial tattoo
Don’t figure how that should concern
In any single, small way, you

Instead of pinching clothing
Its meaning to equate
From mere surface adornments
Why don’t you try to relate

To whether or not I take care
To add my world unto
Or simply take away from work
Done by the rest of you

Find out if volunteered I have
To work constructively
In neighborhood, country and world
No payment offered for would be

Ascertain my real effect
Upon community
Before you start to denigrate
Any part of me

*****

This poet presently lives at a fraction of her nation’s poverty level.

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