When it was believed
evil witches
roamed the land
flew in the air
witch bottles
were everywhere
home security for
protection against
witches’ curses
“remedy for
flipping a
curse back
on the witch”
according to
English astrologer
Joseph Blagrave
urine, three pins
or needles
a pinch of salt
sealed in a bottle
got yourself
a witch’s
bottled repellent
safeguarded
against
their harmful
spells
their deadly
curses
their nightly
home intrusions

mummified cats
in walls too
often stuffed
in new homes
for additional
protection
against witches
everywhere
superstitions
run amuck
innocent women
out of luck.

Bob Boyd