Puffball potions
Toadstool faeries
Ravens guard the graveyard.
Harbingers of untimely death
Old Witch
Wizened
Haglike
Demdike
Whispers on the wind
Caustic curses
Widow wastes away.
All Hallows Eve
Wakening the spirits of the dead
Old souls rising.
©Alison Jean Hankinson
This time of year is a time of remembering youth and stories of old as we head towards Halloween and Bonfire night. This is for d’Verse where we were asked to focus on one thing that this time of year represents to us.
Emily is still in hospital so it is a short visit and I shall do all my reading later in the week, so bear with me.
History- Old Demdike was one of the Pendle Witches she died in custody in 1612 at Lancaster Castle. The other 10 were later hanged. It was a time of great superstition and James 1 was greatly concerned with treason following the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. At Halloween when we were young it was traditional to walk up Pendle Hill in memory of the witches.
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Lots of love to Emily and best wishes for a speedy recovery, Alison.
I love the Halloween theme, with the puffball potions and toadstool faeries – you’re on Bjorn’s wavelength tonight. The one thing that really stands out for me is that wonderful name: Demdike. I enjoyed the history lesson and have learned something new today! Thanks Alison!
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I too loved the name Demdike. A nice spooky little poem. Thank you for giving us the history behind this.
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This gets me in the mood for Halloween…..wonderful!
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Beware of those potions. But maybe the real terror is human at all hallow
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Best wishes for Emily’s recovery. The poem sounded spooky with the short lines.
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By the end of this poem, I was searching for my cauldron! You’ve tapped into the spirit of the season.
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Thanks Vivian. X
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You’re welcome!
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