Art and poetry on page and stage

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11

Jane LeCroy

Witch

Flames of steam leap up
from the pot bubbling on the fire—
Who's the victim?
Among them
we comb for vermin,
that which sucks our blood
steals, spoils

She drops one brush
into the boiling water
then another brush
and another
and another
until all the brushes in the house
are boiling

It is an ancient spell that
those who dwell
with children or lovers, cast;
a ritual, evidence
of relationship,
Lice & People
Nature
Itch

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