WILLA v8 - Poetry - Salem, Then and Also Now

Salem, Then and Also Now

If she hadn't used the hair straightener
or the color-coordinated lipstick and flannel jacket;

If she had acted scared,
had had tear stains and a meek look;

If she had seemed forgiving, humbling herself
and saying nothing:

Perhaps the Investigating Committee
would have halted the collectors of the kindling;

Then, the Orders shredded, the Governor
would have graciously extended his beringed hand--

In genteel acknowledgement of her error, and in
infinite compassion stopped her being tied to the stake.

Elizabeth R. Curry
Slippery Rock University

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Copyright 1999, The Women in Literature and Life Assembly of the National Council of Teachers of English (ISSN #1065-9080). Permission is given to copy any article provided credit is given and the copies are not intended for resale.

Reference Citation : Curry, Elizabeth. (1999). "Salem, Then and Also Now." WILLA, Volume 8, p. 17.