Thou Shalt Not Suffer a Sorceress to Live

by Helen Ivory

Exodus 7:11

For her neighbour's sickness
was more than merely unnatural;
for he sang perfectly without moving his lips.

For she is intemperate in her desires
and pilfers apples from the orchard;
for she hitches her skirts to clamber the fence.

For her womb is a wandering beast;
for she is husbandless, and at candle time
brazenly trades with the Devil.

For she spoke razors to her brother;
who has looked upon her witches pap
and the odious suckling imp.

For the corn is foul teeth.
For the horse is bedlam in its stable.

For the black cow and the white cow are dead.