A Wolf in Witch Doctor's Clothing



In the beginning, God chose a lady,
To embody the broken seal of death,
Yet no knight's tongue uttered "Oh, milady,"
For this witch doctor stole away their breath.
With tonics and incantations alike,
She pledges to purge the Devil within,
And as their eyes close, she readies her strike,
To tenderly disrobe them of their skin.
For social class is not a credential,
In order to dine with this fair maiden,
She tastes the air, gauging your potential,
So with much fragrance, must you be laden.
Many a man has she feasted upon,
Slain by their religious superstitions,
Dressing them up in a wreath of chiffon,
While she is silent, she loves exhibition.
Yet despite her entree's loud objections,
Her garb carries a muted impression,
With a long beak to ward off infections,
And glassed eyes that make you her possession.
Beware the demon in her ghastly robes,
Convincing the healthy into illness,
Who whispers of tales of your future woes,
To coerce you to a state of stiffness.

About this poem

Contradictions; something that engages the mind and deviates from the norm. Witch doctor; a male dominated position of old, now filled by the shoes of a woman. Witch doctor; designed to give life and save blood, now hungry to steal it. Witch doctor; one trusted by the people through honor, now manipulating them into submission with charm.

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Written on June 20, 2022

Submitted by thewalkingheather on June 20, 2022

Modified on April 14, 2023

58 sec read
61

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABABCDCDEFEFGHGFHFHFIJKJ
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 974
Words 193
Stanzas 1
Stanza Lengths 24

A Wolf in Witch Doctor's Clothing

I have always found witch doctor's haunting. Their association with the plague aides in this feeling, but it is mostly their aesthetic that leaves me disturbed. Black garb... Sharp, elongated beaks... Hollow eyes... Every facet of their humanity is hidden behind mask and robe. Yet despite this emotionless exterior, their sole purpose was to help the people. They were heroes. But, everyone loves a good villain. So I decided to expand on the first-impressions a witch doctor gives, and play into their macabre presence. more…

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"A Wolf in Witch Doctor's Clothing" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 27 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/131329/a-wolf-in-witch-doctor's-clothing>.

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