The kids walking to school
Point and say, I hear she’s a witch
Girls giggle while boys
Do their best witch cackle

I heard she goes to the graveyard at night
A kid told me she’s there on a full moon
Dancing for the devil

Well, she sacrifices rabbits and stuff
My cousin saw them strung up
All along the back porch one time

(photo by Rosie Lindsey)

My mother said she’s just a lonely old woman
She just keeps to herself
One of the girls insisted

Well, my uncle said she mixes up potions
There’s a big pot in the backyard
Hanging over a fire pit

Hey, let’s come back at night
I heard bats fly out of that 3rd floor window
But you have to be here at midnight to see them

They stop and stare
One kid says, I dare you to knock on her door
No way! I’m not messing with that witch
Might end up in that pot

Growing tired of the game the kids keep walking
The witch peers from the half-open curtain
Stirring up her potion of chocolate cookies
Chuckling to herself.