The Legend of Backwater

Way down south at the edge of the swamp,
Was a little town known as Backwater.
A peaceful town that most folks found,
Was a good place to raise sons and daughters.

A plague hit the town and people fell sick,
And soon they were dropping like flies.
No doc could be had and the fever was bad,
So they called on the preacher and midwives.

They did what they could but it wasn't enough,
And folks were in fear for their lives.
One woman knew of a spinster who,
Had a sister who lived nearby;

Deep in the swamp, she never came out,
Shunned people and kept to herself.
Some thought her a witch, at best an old b-- h,
But right now they needed her help.

They sent her word through her sister and said,
For whatever she'd do she'd be paid.
She decided she'd make for her sister's sake,
The trip into town and give aide.

When she arrived no one could say,
Next meeting she was just there.
'Mid the fightin', and cussin', and much more discussin',
She pushed back screeching her chair.

My name's unimportant as are you all.
I came at my sister's call.
I'll cure your fever and then I will sever,
All ties and binds with you all.

She mixed up a brew amid the town square,
Soon the smell permeated the air.
Not really bad from the whiff that I had,
T'was the medicine we would all share.

Well the people got well and no one else died,
And the two sisters packed up their wares.
We'd best be off one said with a scoff,
Hang around here if you dare.

The town bid them stay, please don't go away,
For sure you will live like a queen;
But they took their pay and left the same day,
Never no more to be seen.

The townsmen searched high and searched for them low,
To bring them both back to the hollow.
They found on a post a note from their host,
We've gone, do not try to follow.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2021

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Callus Avatar
October 24, 2021 at 1:12 AM
You have given us such a lovely and striking narrative, Judy! Your internal rhyme is also worthy of mention. ~ Best regards // paul
Ball Avatar
October 24, 2021 at 7:27 AM
Thank you so much Paul. God Bless, JB
Goldsmith Avatar
October 23, 2021 at 11:16 AM
WOW!!! A creative story/write. Your pen was working overtime on this one. Have a blessed autumn day....................
Ball Avatar
October 23, 2021 at 11:27 AM
Thank you so much Paula. God Bless, JB
Dietrich Avatar
October 23, 2021 at 9:42 AM
Another fun tale for Halloween. I like how you put B..h in there!! I have a poem where i had to leave some letters out too!!
Ball Avatar
October 23, 2021 at 11:16 AM
Thank you so much Andrea. God Bless, JB
Laurie Avatar
October 22, 2021 at 7:30 PM
Hello Judy ... a great tale indeed. It doesn't pay to judge before learning - thank you Judy - Lindsay
Ball Avatar
October 23, 2021 at 11:22 AM
Thank you so much Lindsay. God Bless, JB
Horsman Avatar
October 22, 2021 at 7:19 AM
It's the magic potion that's intriguing here Judy. We sure need it today with our prayers. Great poet.
Ball Avatar
October 23, 2021 at 11:18 AM
Thank you so much Harry. God Bless, JB
Proxenos Avatar
October 21, 2021 at 2:29 AM
Well I say good for them, the small town were willing to take the risk to save their themselves but the sister was shunned before that and good for the sister from the town who joined her. If the town gets sick again it would be sad, but you just don't like or love someone because of one good deed, good deeds mount up and become a mountain, the village should think of performing some themselves in case further plagues come their way. Love poem and the moral of the story Judy, blessings, Jenn.
Ball Avatar
October 21, 2021 at 7:58 AM
Thank you so much Jennifer. God Bless, JB
Rose  Avatar
October 20, 2021 at 11:46 AM
Some of the greatest medicine women I know keep a low profile, there are reasons for that, beautifully written Judy, :)
Ball Avatar
October 21, 2021 at 8:05 AM
Thanks so much Mystic Rose. God Bless, JB
Buhagiar Avatar
October 20, 2021 at 2:15 AM
Loved you legend, Judy. It is inspirational.
Ball Avatar
October 20, 2021 at 8:20 AM
Thanks so much Victor. God Bless, JB
Wolf Avatar
October 19, 2021 at 7:18 PM
Enjoyed your tale, Judy. Equal rights for 'Medicine Woman.!' Did she get paid as much as the 'Medicine Man?' If not, send in the 'Biden team' to investigate! -- On second thought, let it go. LOL. ~ gw
Ball Avatar
October 19, 2021 at 8:04 PM
Thanks bunches Gershon. God Bless, JB
Mcintosh Avatar
October 19, 2021 at 3:50 PM
Great storytelling. God bless you sweet friend. Love, Gina
Ball Avatar
October 19, 2021 at 8:01 PM
Thanks bunches my friend. God Bless, JB
Mcconnell Avatar
October 19, 2021 at 1:47 PM
A really good story Judy told so well, with nice rhyme and flow too. Have a blessed day, Gordon
Ball Avatar
October 19, 2021 at 2:30 PM
Thank you so much Gordon. God Bless, JB
Canerdy Avatar
October 19, 2021 at 12:56 PM
A fascinating story very well-told, Judy! Janice
Ball Avatar
October 19, 2021 at 2:35 PM
Thank you so much Janice. God Bless, JB
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