The Witches of Backwater

The witches of Backwater were two sisters who, Never caused harm or concern. One lived in the swamp well away from the town, The other chose wages to earn. She taught the town's children as local school marm, Reading and writing and numbers. Quiet and kind she taught tolerance and patience, And always to pray before slumber. The town's people held her in high regard. But her sister was another matter. Quiet and strange she lived all alone, And some thought her mad as a hatter. The one in the swamp was the eldest of two, Shunning the town and their ways. She kept to herself way back in the swamp, T'was there that she spent her days, Honing her craft and becoming quite deft, At discerning herbs, berries and roots, That she used in lotions and arcane potions, Steeped in magic straight down to her boots. The younger sister dabbled too, Unknown to the people around her. Keeping it simple she made wicks and tonics, To ease simple headaches and bothers. When the town fell ill her cover was blown, Folks found out the witch was her sister; For she'd called her in to help cure the fever, That threatened them all with disaster. They love us now, the elder witch said, But wait for some time to pass. One fine day they'll come for us both, And for us that day is the last; So let us be off while we still have the chance. Lets just take our money and run, Before their fear of the unknown sets in, To be sure it's already begun. So they took their pay and went on their way, And no one could say when or where. The two sisters just left and the town was bereft, Of any who ever would care, If someone fell ill or contracted a chill, Or needed a tonic or two; For the witches were gone and so from now on, They would just have to make do.