The Harlot

The desperate howl

Of my lover’s keening

Vibrated in the water around me.

As my husband held me down in the sea

Growling under his breath,

“You are mine.”

“You are mine.”

“You are mine.”

Precious clear air quickly being

Replaced by murky water in my lungs

As I struggled and fought to live.

To live, and to love.

To love just one more time.

“Harlot” they shouted.

“Witch” they chanted.

A celebration of hatred.

An army of men held my lover back

Pinning his arms down,

Keeping him from me,

Forcing him to watch me die.

Breaking him, destroying him

As he struggled to save me.

To protect me.

To stop the madness.

To keep loving me.

This was our punishment for love.

I shuddered and died.

And with every cell in my body

I cursed my husband.

I promised to return.

I became the witch.

I was the harlot.