Intuition and compassion
combined with knowledge
an effective healer make,
yet, historically, women
applying such skills – labelled
witches – burnt at the stake.
The injustice of such trials
now commonly accepted – still
the title reeks of something sinister.
And if a man raises his voice
in ire, driven to protest, he
is righteous – to be heeded,
but let a woman speak out
against lack of fairness – she
is a witch by another name.
I say we banish the verbal putdowns,
condemn the ignorance inspired by fear,
listen to one another, and invite progress.
(Written for Manic Mondays 3 Way prompt: witch, witchy, bewitched.)
One Woman's Quest 