Mary Easty: Hanged September 22, 1692

Cindy Veach
| poetry

 

They said she hurt them and brought them the book

& then they fell into fits. When Mary’s hands

are clincht together they point, cry out—Look!

Mercy Lewis’ hands are clinch. When Mary stands

with her head bowed—put up her head, for while

her head is bowed the necks of these are broken.

She petitions twice. First, for a fair trial—

Judge, please be of councell to us. Again,

already condemned, she begs—your honor

please examine theis Aflicted Persons

strictly and keepe them apart. This wife, mother,

sister, her appointed time sett, certain

pleads not for her own life but that instead

no more Innocentt blood may be shed.

Cindy Veach is the author of Gloved Against Blood (CavanKerry Press, November 2017). Her poetry has appeared in AGNI, Prairie Schooner, Poet Lore, Michigan Quarterly Review, The Journal, and elsewhere. She lives in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts.

Next
Village Folklore
Previous
Downward, Domeward