The Wicked Witch

 

She appreared elderly and frail

assisted by a calliper on one arm

and a dainty dog in the other

A vulnerable old soul whose 

appearance aroused pity and compassion

People always made way for her offering the best seat

Occasionally she would don a neck brace

which lended itself to her overall infirmity

A born actress of incomparable skill

Her conversation engendered sympathy

the role of victim was her piéce de résistance

Her gait and demeanour that of a soldier returning from the front

stooped over with only the kit bag missing

People who saw her said, ¨poor soul ¨

A widow with no children gave her added gravity

Her generosity was widely known and applauded

From her purse she would donate to worthy causes

give presents to children, help single mothers

and anyone who paid the required homage

 

There lurked behind this facade the personification of evil

A manipulator extraordinaire

a calculating mind in search of attention

was alive and well in sharp contrast to her feeble frame

She carefully selected her victims

those whose downfall she could relish

and derive gossip and scandal from

Time was essential

to achieve maximum impact for her malicious intentions

Then she would plant the seed of slander

in fertile earth then sit back and enjoy its growth

Her target was suddenly and viciously assaulted

¨He robbed me ¨´ she would cry, ¨after all I did to help him ¨.

¨This is how I have been repaid ¨.

A convincing liar to those about who listened avidly

Then a campaign of vitriol would be initiated

with the sympathisers, her disciples clamouring for more

 

Before the final blow or any recrimination

she would disappear on her broom

never to be seen or heard of again

A new place and a fresh vicitm were sought after

And so the wicked witch flew on into the night

to reek havoc, discord and misery in another place

And she did not care less