First Crossed By a Gypsy, Now By a Dang Witch

“Close the book, ring the bell, light the candle.”
The witch’s words resounded in my ears.
My problems now were more than I could handle
and so I hoped she’d vanquish all my fears.

She stared at me across the darkened room
and then commanded me that I must stay
until my wish was granted. Then a broom
she grabbed, and out the door she flew away!

The magic lay in me, the hag had said.
I only had to wish with all my might.
But with my kind of luck, I might be dead
before I’d get what I had wished that night.

I sit here still; she’s left me with a curse!
No health care yet, and now my back is worse!

(sorry to belabor this, but now you see what preoccupies
my mind these days!! Linda's contests always seem
to bring out this topic for me lately. The gypsy referred to
in my title was in my last poem I did for Linda!)

By Andrea Dietrich for Linda-Marie's
"BELL, BOOK AND CANDLE" Poetry Contest
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

Poem

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Watt Avatar
September 26, 2020 at 12:29 AM
I see from the comments that you got a first for this one 9 years ago. It's still potent, and accurately describes your ongoing battle with your condition (btw, the title could use a quick edit on the word Gypsy). Love it!
Dietrich Avatar
September 26, 2020 at 9:25 AM
thanks, I never even noticed my typo. This would have been the time my shoulder was giving me such fits and we did not have health insurance for me to deal with it. It's been one thing or another since my 40's!!
Duncan Avatar
March 6, 2013 at 10:32 PM
I for sure love this Andrea, going to fav;s ,, thank you for reading and liking my haiku six, think I should rename them Tanka ot ?
Mister Roboto Avatar
November 8, 2011 at 7:25 PM
My problems now were more than I could handle and so I hoped she’d vanquish all my fears.---You never cease to amaze me with your pristine vocabulary and perfect use of phrase! Eloquently haunting tale a white boy can Digg!:)
Susan Avatar
October 24, 2011 at 9:29 AM
1st place! you go girl! I like how you twisted this around from her granting you a wish to putting a curse on you. congratualtions!!!!!
Brown Avatar
October 24, 2011 at 7:44 AM
Congratulations on your win in Linda-Marie's "Bell, Book, and Candle" contest Andrea. Love, Carol
Foster Avatar
October 23, 2011 at 8:07 PM
Congratulations Andrea, A worthy winner for sure...Luv Margaret
Merryman Avatar
October 23, 2011 at 7:55 PM
Congrats on your 1st place win, Andrea. Sorry to hear about your back problems. I pray that they will be solved, healed soon. Kim
Johnson Avatar
October 23, 2011 at 6:51 PM
Great going Andrea. Congratulations. These gypsys and/or witches will cross you every time. Love, Joyce
Richards Avatar
October 23, 2011 at 6:50 PM
Hooray for you Andrea!! Sure hope you can be free of the wicked curse very soon!! Congrats on your win!
Freeman Avatar
October 23, 2011 at 5:57 PM
Great to see your worthy first place Andrea. I had my fortune told one time when I was about 16 years of age, Smile. After she ask for the third dollar, I decided my fortune would keep. "I left." Agape, Moses
Sweetheart Avatar
October 23, 2011 at 5:37 PM
Congrats Andrea on a first place win in my contest with this dazzling delight luv..
Sweetheart Avatar
October 23, 2011 at 3:11 PM
an awesome piece Andrea..thankxx for supporting my contest luv..judging tonight.. good luck..
Guzzi Avatar
October 15, 2011 at 7:59 AM
It horrid getting old but look at the alternative? Light & Love
Babcock Avatar
October 1, 2011 at 1:04 PM
I understand what pain does to a person and you wish it was gone. I wish that for you too. love phyl
Foster Avatar
September 28, 2011 at 11:28 PM
When in pain it's understandable that we might try anything to relieve it, looks like you lucked out with your witchy friend...Seriously I hope you do find relief soon. good one for the contest. I can't get anything going on this one, not even a poor offering...luv Marg
Sweetheart Avatar
September 28, 2011 at 11:03 AM
thankxx for supporting my current contest Andrea.. good luck luv.. know your words will be terrific ones..luv..
Johnson Avatar
September 28, 2011 at 9:56 AM
Contentment is the name of the game. Godly peace makes all of this look lame. I'm not sticking my finger down your throat. Or trying to poo poo all that you've wrote. I enjoy an entertaining poem. And after we have fun, we want to go home. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers. For all your back pains, and all your cares. Good luck in the contest. I would think you would be one of the best.
Horne Avatar
September 27, 2011 at 3:45 PM
Very witty piece, Andrea. I hope you shove the dang witch off her broom if you ever see her again! Seriously, I'm sorry to hear your back is worse : (
Austin Avatar
September 27, 2011 at 11:32 AM
Didn't know about your back, Andrea. Bummer! Hope you are doing better right soon. Love, daver
Lane Avatar
September 27, 2011 at 7:55 AM
Take care and get better. Tony
Clark Avatar
September 27, 2011 at 6:22 AM
Nice write. I hope you feel better soon
Onclaud Avatar
September 27, 2011 at 5:46 AM
dang medical procedures and all.. been a frequent visitor of the emergency room for the past month, andie... also with back pain... the hag should give us better HMOs and insurance.... greaat stuff with winning streaks..:) huggs, nette
K. Avatar
September 27, 2011 at 2:34 AM
oh this so so cool, Andrea- I saw your title and it made me smile-- I wish I thought of something along these lines-- very timely for Halloween :D I still have to catch up in email-- oops & we had a power outage.... hugs to you and I hope your back would be better, I can hope and pray, right?
Marcum Wong Avatar
September 27, 2011 at 2:16 AM
I couldn't think of anything to write for this one Andrea, You did well. I hope you feel better soon. I am sending more reiki to you. Hugs,
Sivey Avatar
September 27, 2011 at 12:08 AM
Sorry to hear, or read, about your back problems! My old grandmother has back problems every day and she suffers from it's pain all day and all night! It's horrible! You've written a great write here talking about your witch being just the way they are, rude, and unhelpful, they just want you eye or something! Great for Halloween! Awesome write!!
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