One night, as sweet and bitter as my sin,
A witch was to be burned there, by the lake,
Reflecting stars, their every silver fin.
The girl was but a child, so small and thin,
She whimpered as I led her to the stake
That night, as sweet and bitter as my sin.
I still remember apple-scented skin,
A brown eye, so wide and so awake,
Reflecting stars, their every silver fin.
I could not show my sorrow, but within
I writhed, as if I'd been bitten by a snake.
The night was sweet and bitter as my sin.
I offered her the Eucharist. Between
My fingers wooden chalice did not shake,
Reflecting stars, their every silver fin.
The flames engulfed, devoured (akin
To an insatiable golden drake)
The night, as sweet and bitter as my sin,
Reflecting stars, their every silver fin.
E. Sedia lives with one spouse, two cats, two leopard geckos, and many fishes in Southern New Jersey. Her first novel, According To Crow, was published in May 2005 by Five Star (Thomson/Gale), and her short stories sold to Analog, Surreal Magazine, Oceans of the Mind, Fantasy Magazine and Spicy Slipstream Stories, among others. Her poem, "Sandman's Sestina", was nominated for the 2005 Rhysling Award. More about her can be found at www.ekaterinasedia.com.
"The answer to the favorite fruit question: Pears. They are wonderful."