Gargoyles watch throughout
the town, sneer, leer, stare
down as she hurries about.
She collects all she needs
for potions sought by desperate
friends: herbs, bark of tree, seeds,
grasses from dark spaces, essence of flowers,
things found on forest floor to sound of crow.
She assembles attentive to moon's phase,
boils while humming old phrases
passed from grandmother's grand-
mother, ancient knowledge held in spare
words said with right intention. Add the care
of friend for friend when fashioned
and the faith in efficacy.
Some call it witchcraft
but it's simply magic.
This is in response to Fireblossom Friday over at Real Garden with Real Toads who asks us if we believe in magic. Check out some of the eerie answers.
So perfect for this full moon;)
ReplyDeleteAs it has been for generations.
DeleteBeautiful tribute to the Old Ways........
ReplyDeleteConnected through the years.
DeleteReminds me of my sister, beautiful poem.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't thought of that. On it goes...
Deletenice...love the opening with gargoyles...we have a few around town...and i like as well that it is passed one generation to the next as well...i wonder a bit at some of the magic lost when we dont pass some things on...but i know that is stretching this out a bit..ha
ReplyDeleteThat gargoyle photo is from a trip to Rome. I love her old self. You're right, it's essential that we pass it all on.
DeleteLove how the gargoyles watch and sneer...these days we depend on drugs when a bit of the old magic might keep us healthier.
ReplyDeleteYes, we lost a lot when we killed off the women (for generations) who knew medicinal herbs and uses of all things natural for healing and put our health in men's hands.
DeleteA little of both in this one--and as the old saying goes, yesterday's magic is today's science--or is it the other way around? Love the mood and language.
ReplyDeleteMaybe, but so much knowledge was lost in the killing of our wise women. Some of it is rediscovered, medicines from nature, etc., but oh, the loss!
DeleteYour ending made me contemplate the very different connotations of these two words: 'witchcraft' vs. 'magic.'
ReplyDeleteI'm pleased about that. It's the time of year to revisit our history and reconnect with our power.
DeleteThis is wonderful in it's respect for the art of magic, something shunned and reviled. I was reared in the hills of WV, and I have known wise women --I even have some stories of encounters from my youth. Sadly, now that I think of it, as we moved forward in time, we seem to have lost that magic. Hopefully, it is only that I no longer have their acquaintance.
ReplyDeleteI admire your craft here with the half-rhymes. Really nice.
Thanks, Karen. You've been touched by something special in your youth, I hope you pass it on. I'd like to hear your stories.
Deletenice...the care from friend to friend...that's a nice mixture and beautiful magic..
ReplyDeleteThanks, Claudia. That's how it started, women healers in their small communities.
DeleteThanks, MZ, it's actually born of despair of what happened to these wise women.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, Mary. But your last line? Ah, there's nothing simple about it.
ReplyDeletePerhaps not...
DeleteOh, I LOVE that gargoyle!
ReplyDeleteMe too, she's my favorite and she lives in Rome!
DeleteI still keep checking air fares to Rome... I'll make it there, next year!
DeletePattiKen stole my comment, lol. A witch's work is never done...once she gathers all of those things, there is still the mixing, and the incantations, and the waiting for the pot to bubble, and...
ReplyDeleteThanks for being part of FBF!
I had fun with this.
DeleteIntention perhaps the strongest part of incantation! The Placebo effect! k.
ReplyDeleteOh, no! Intention imbues the mix with the final essential ingredient to be magic!
Deletei hope your week is starting off wonderfully....smiles.
ReplyDelete'Tis.
Delete