The Witch

The house seemed to live on its own In the silence of a monster waiting prey Skin peeled off mossed abandoned In a gloom quite untouched by the day! It was the house standing last in the lane Hidden in its dark ominous nook Locked in closed door windowpane Holding secret of a never opened book! Not one sign of some life did it show Bar a glassed shadow in the candlelight Flickering for a while and then go Like a passing phantom of the night! Never go anywhere near that door Cautioned us the elders in childhood It was said weren't seen anymore Those ventured had disappeared for good! We found in that lane a peaceful space For a winter afternoon's cricket match Bowling and batting in low pace When the ball was in air shouting catch! It happened one day jumped the fence A bounce took the ball past the wall The children were worried and tense Who would go to fetch it make a call! None was ready to give the door a knock Having heard about the house its weirdness What would reveal once the knob was unlocked Peeped from it the most macabre face! They left as I stood there alone With terror creeping to my core When the wood creaked with a groan Stood a woman on the opened door! On her face shone a smile's beaming star As she held out the ball for my reach While I wondered what made them call her A bitch and child slaying witch!