Photo credit, Fandango.
“Ensnared” by Pamela Schloesser Canepa. (c) 2018
Oh, the tangled vine
that ensnares my heart
and keeps me bound to you.
Oh, the centuries of longing
in pain, the fury
I cannot undo.
All of the sadness
and mystery that
kept me frozen in fear….
Stranger, turn away,
and please don’t ask,
What happened here.
-Victim of a Salem Witch Trial, believed to have turned vines into snakes in grief over her lover dying. It is said she, and the snakes, then froze on the spot. The vines are still a horrifying, yet amazing scene. Town officials dragged her away, catatonic and motionless, then burned her at the stake. Townspeople cheered them on, yet there was much talk about whether the punishment was fair, since she didn’t appear to feel any pain. Her last words spoken have been passed down from generation to generation.
~135 words
*This flash fiction entry was fictional. Any resemblance to actual people or events is purely coincidental. The Salem Witch Trials, however, are a historical fact.
Each week, Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers presents a new photo prompt for consideration. You never know what it might bring out! Find out more about the weekly writing challenge and view other flash fiction offerings at https://flashfictionforaspiringwriters.wordpress.com/2018/01/08/fffaw-challenge-week-of-january-9-2018/ where you can also view the rules for this flash fiction challenge.
Great story! Although this is a fictional tale, it shows how horrifying the Salem Witch Trials were! Great story, Pamela!
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Thank you, Priceless Joy!
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I loved how you combined the poem in the story. It is a chilling subject and time in history.
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Thank you for reading!
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