The Knock

The night was dark
The wolves were howling

She could not sleep
Her stomach was growling

She went downstairs
To get some food
When a knock on the door
Changed the mood

What could be there
She did not who
She went to open it
There was nothing else to do

It was the court messenger
Who bore terrible news
She was under arrest for witchcraft
Could this be true

Her life flashed before her eyes
For death was sure to come
Cold sweat across her face
Her hands went numb

First a trial
Of lies and false accusations
Then came the execution
Of a brutal public hanging

Who could have said this
The resentful Thomas Putnam
Or maybe it was my husband's mistress
The jealous Anne Rudham

"I have no poppets in my house"
She exclaimed in fury
The cold reply was
"It's now in the hands of a jury"

There was no way out
Except to run and hide

The she would keep her life
But lose her sense of pride