Version 3

They come to me.
 
I am lover
healer
midwife
doctor
friend.
I know them all.
 
I taste their treachery.
Honeyed deceit
coats my tongue,
clogs my throat,
flavours my panic.
 
WITCH!  They shout.
The branches spark
as they jostle to get near.
Flushed faces ugly
in their frenzy.
 
I know them all.
 
Smokey tendrils 
of hate
stroke my tears.
Fear catches;
ignites.
 
Fire seeks me out!


Version 2

They come to me.

I am lover
healer
midwife
doctor
friend.
I know them all.

I taste their secrets;
honied betrayal
coats my tongue,
clogs my throat,
flavours my panic.

WITCH! They shout.
The branches spark.
Content with their sacrifice.

Smokey tendrils 
of hate
crawl through cracks,
stroke my tears.
Fear catches;
ignites.

Fire seeks me out!





Version 1

Fire seeks me out!
 
Smokey tendrils
of hate
crawl through cracks,
stroke my tears.
Fear catches;
ignites.
 
I know them all.

I am lover
healer
midwife
doctor
friend
And still they come.
 
Betrayal.
 
The branches spark.
Content with their sacrifice.
 “Whore”, they shout.

WITCH! I breathe.