I was once a word-witch of the fourth degree,
Having trawled and learned ancient arcane law;
And sealed in my memory were charms a-plenty
For calling women to me. I studied by owl-light
The secret languages and tongues of angels,
Learned to read forgotten scripts. Libraries
Of time-stained grimoires were my daily round.
I could call, by chanting, right from the next town,
A woman from her bed, and bring her, sleeping
But strong in limb and body to my side,
There to pull her night-shift over her head,
And do my bidding ever towards my pleasure.
I was once a hand-witch of the third degree,
Having mastered all the passes in the air
Which hang like shapes burned upon the eye,
And which bind women fast. I studied in moss-woods
The movements of birds and animals, and more
The slow tropism of plants and herbs. I mimicked them,
Or rather reproduced their sinuosity and subtlety.
I could, by certain gestures, from a neighbour county
Call a woman to me, submit her to my will,
Enslave her for a month-long, and send her home
With no memory of the ecstasy she served.
I was once an eye-witch of the second degree,
Having gained skill in the power of glances, stares,
Which can change the world by merely looking,
And stun women by the crowd! Oh they would flock
To catch reflected sunlight in my eyes. My study
Was the faces of folk. I learned to read their hearts there!
And by reading, bend and change their thoughts
And secret fancies – stop their beating with a wink!
I could, by concentrating on a single shape or point,
Call a woman from a land across the restless seas,
Make her take ship and search with grim yearning,
Until she found me, knelt at my feet, said, “Mistress!”
I am now a mind-witch of the first degree,
Having no more craft to master, knowing all there is!
I can reach out with no more than a single thought,
And bring whole nations of women to their knees!
My study was the energy of the planets and the stars,
Their movements and their eldritch gravities, courses,
Eccentricities, half-guessed natures, grim intelligences.
I can reach out my mind beyond the world’s grip…
I cannot, by any power or wit of mine, win her I love;
She will not be called, but moves still at her own desire.
Her free will is greater than all my mysteries and skill –
But even now she stands here, and holds out a hand!
Author notes
Written February 26th, 2006
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I suspected so as regards form, but I hesitated to say that because I am ignorant of so many forms. I really loved the poem.
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I can't say much in reply, except you appear to have hit the nail right on the head. No it isn't a recognised form, it was just yours truly and a poem that refused NOT to have its own internal structure. It was from my free-verse-developing-into-formal-verse period.. {{{{{Shiny Sister}}}}}
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This seems very different for you. Is this free verse or a form with which I am not familiar? Admittedly, there are many forms I do not recognize. I am fascinated by the ascending/descending progression, and am inclined to be a bit confused while being in total agreement. For my part, that makes this an excellent poem. I do not favor poetry that is not thought provoking. This speaks to a paradox - the more we think we have, the less we really have, and the more we let go of what we know we have, the more we obtain. I think this is the way maturity goes - we think we must control to obtain, then we realize in degrees that this is not necessary. I do not know that you intended this, but for myself, I also found that the more I was happy just to be, the less control I had to exert to attract what/who I wanted. Excellent write! {{{{{Sister Dear}}}}}
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I wonder why you like this one in particular, Nevada. It is one of my less formal ones. Thanks for your praise.
M -
exceptional
Great poem! One of my favorites of yours that I have read.
Simply wonderful.
Nevada -
Ah, but then the whole poem is about impossibility.
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Words are powerful, and the gains of knowledge are never-ending.
So another hit in my humble opinion - except where it reads: knowing all there is <-- seems impossible to me!! -
Any time, sis, but it'll cost you!
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Most Excellent
Oh I do love this Mairi. Your choice of words is always so exquistely perfect, you have such a talent for enthralling the reader. I'd like a few lessons from the witch...lol. -
It was deliberately wordy, Autumn, and I guess I meant the symbolical aspect of it to. I imaginged that to one such as the narrator, symbols were potent things on the road to her power. Thanks for dropping by and for the kind comments.
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Melodies, that reminds me of my own household! Many thanks for your appreciative comments.
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Somewhat of a complex write, but very intriguing none the less. I think you did an excellent job with this. There is a lot of symbolics in this write, regardless of what you meant with it. Totally awesome
Autumn -
You did it again! (Actually, my husband says that every time I prepare another meal.) But in your case, you amaze me, whereas my meals do not amaze anybody! Your mind must circle around like an eagle and see many things to swoop and capture! This poem is full of magic energy!
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