Cauldron Anthology Issue 3: Year 1 Collection Cauldron Anthology Year One Issue FINAL 1.17.18 | Page 72

Three Crones
Aurora M. Lewis
Deep in the forest beyond the devil’s gate
residing in a cavern where none can abide
Misshaped faces, gnarly hands, hollowed
cheeks, hair a tangled mass of twigs, leaves
a stench to all be damned
Come full moon three scour the land
in search of nightshade, jimsonweed
to make a stew for some young lad
unbeknownst to their dastardly deeds
Cowering around the melting pot
hunched, stirring, an ominous chant
In moonlight’s glow, bathing within
a magical stream where cackles transform
to a lyrical song, skin now smooth, soft
as a baby’s bum, hands gracefully slender
void of knots, mangling menacing claws
Each dressed in satin, lace, velvet robes
flowing perfumed locks about gentle face
pouting lips, fluttering lashes, rounded hips
gleefully stepping out into the night, to the village
where lusty men drink their fill, eyes affixed
for a pretty wench to enter their sight
A lute plays merrily as the crones ascend
Spying a ravened haired strapping youth
alone in a darken corner, nursing his cup
gliding towards him the crones take a seat
Laughing, jesting, drinking through the night
then towards the forest edge, kissing his face
his brow, into the woods they lure him on
upon reaching the cauldron, forcing him in