[Critique Group 2] Emailing: The midwife's cat for 2/21/17, 2nd sending please ignore previous. Tx, Leonard-BC

[James]

The midwife's cat
C by Brad Corallo
Word count 540

A strange young woman lived alone a mile or so from town.
She was honored for her skill and wisdom
by folks for miles around.
Her spotless old stone cottage was well maintained and sound.
And her steadfast loyal companion
was a lost cat she had found.
In the woods she found her wounded 
hurt nye unto her death.
And even with her skill she feared
the cat had taken its last breath.
But unlooked for the cat recovered
and grew fat and hale and strong.
And the woman's joy and gratitude
would overflow from her in song.


For many years they lived that way.
In quiet happiness they dwelt.
For her counsel and her aid
to all were freely dealt.
She healed the sick and tended berths
for ladies poor and fine.
There were those who swore Her countenance
was touch by hand divine.
While others said it wasn't so;
she just was wise and very kind .

And where she would go
so would her cat.
They seldom were apart
as the cat's love for her mistress
went deeper than the heart.

But dear friends, as we all know
good situations seldom last.
And wonders of the present soon
become horrors of the past.
For on a stormy night was summoned
our good midwife to preside
at the berthing of the Mayer's child.
Her cat was by her side.
But things went wrong. 
no song was sung to celebrate new life.
for all beheld a stillborn monster
in the flickering candle light.

In their fear outrage and sorrow
the people's mood grew cold.
And out of no where untrue stories
of our heroine were told.
She was said to be unnatural and most certainly demonic.
Those she'd  helped the most maligned her loudest
how bitterly ironic!

Exhorted by the evil parson
the Mayer and his grieving wife.
The mob proclaimed she was to blame
and screamed "we'll have her life!"
The evil parson told the people
"by fire not the knife!
For she's a witch and her devil cat
must burn brightly at the steak tonight .
It's the only certain way to insure
 the breaking of Her curse's might!"

So eagerly a fire, in the town square did they lay.
For they all swore she would never see
the dawning of the coming day.
>From her home they roughly dragged her 
and brought her to the square.
But the location of her beloved cat 
the people knew not where.
By the town's good citizens she was bound
to the steak and the flames ignited.
And though none there would admit it, 
in their hearts they were excited!
They watched her burn to ashes
while her cat watched from a tree.
After the people scattered, with her world shattered
from the horror she did flee .

The cat lived on as felines will
but spent her life in sorrow.
Though only a cat she understood
for her mistress no tomorrow.
A mystery is the human heart
to the cat and to this poet.
For our steps have left the path of love 
and our species doesn't know it!


Inspired by one hearing of "The Familiar" by Cindy Mangsen

jamesstarfire at gmail.com  
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