The Trick of Death

The Witch stood on a burning cliff

Her hair alight with flame.

With arms outstretched to call the wind

She waited in the rain.

She’d never called the dead before

She thought it most unwise.

But only those so long passed on

Could answer her sharp cries.

The wolves all howled along their tune,

Thunder slammed its praise.

It seemed the angels and the Gods of death

Had nature in a daze.

Everything stood frozen, still

Spellbound in the night.

When Hades took her once warm hand

The Witch fell ill with freight.

Just like Athena in days of old

To each gate she was brought

And at each she stripped herself

Of all her mortal thought.

“Why is it that you came to me

When it is not your time?

Would you like for me to kiss your lips,

To claim you now as mine?”

Into dreadful eyes she stared

But she was braver still

“I’d like to know why you have claimed

The happiness I feel.

A mother, father, and my love

So recently have gone

But when you took my baby boy

I knew that you’d done wrong.”

He smiled at her wearily

It looked so damned bizarre

“Everything that lives must die

But it’s not the end by far.”

With that he kissed her tenderly.

It took her breath away.

“Now you can see all those you loved

Right here with us you’ll stay.”

She wept and wept for all to see

For many gathered near.

“I only wanted answers from you,

Not to die of fear!”