WEASELS

In those days weasels often hexed villagers,

bewitching young girls

and women of frail health.

Such a victim would rave in a weasel’s voice,

trembling and brandishing her arms.

Her family would rush out,

shouting and beating a basin

to scare away the weasel casting the spell.

Some carried brooms

to thrash the creature if they found it.

Once the rascal fled

the crazed person would return to calm.

Nowadays no one believes

that animals can hex humans.

Instead we send the possessed

to a shrink or hospital.

Sorcery is nothing but superstition.

Yet if a voice cries,

“Go chase the weasel away!”

I might hurry out to search through

haystacks, bushes, firewood

in hopes of finding a weasel

shrieking and rocking in spasms.