A Witch’s Lullaby

“If the pine trees whisper your name, the night will come for what it claims.”

Hear my call, my wild beloved,

Beneath the weeping trees,

The night is full of whispered oaths--

Come drink the dark with me.

The woods are stirring, roots awake,

Their murmurs thread the air,

The fire sighs, the embers quake--

And scent your loosened hair.

We’ll fly beyond the ridge of bone,

Where blackened cedars lean,

The moon pours down her silver tone

On all that lies between.

The owls will sing their hollow tunes,

The fox will bare his gleam,

The cauldron hums beneath three moons--

And folds us in its dream.

Don’t fear the whispers in the pines,

They only speak your name,

The dark recalls the ancient signs--

And keeps our kindled flame.

We’ll walk where fallen stars decay,

Their ashes scent the breeze,

We’ll drink from wells where shadows play--

And rest beneath the trees.

Then when the dawn begins to creep,

And pale light stains the pane,

I’ll bind your soul in gentle sleep--

And kiss you once again.

Keep close the spark the night imparts,

Its pulse beneath your skin,

For even day cannot unbind--

The witchfire deep within.

Author's Note

This poem follows a gentle 4-3-4-3 rhythm, like a lullaby, though not in strict meter. I wrote a light version for this poem around 2015. In the spirit of Halloween. I'm a witch every Halloween

Reviews

[Carrie]

Love this. Visions of night's spent camping. You captured the rhyme of pine forest at night with a pagan witchy vibe.

[RomaJ]

This was fun to write. I wrote a light version to this poem around 2015 and decided to do another for 2025, this one is my dark version. The light version was meant for children haha. Thank you

[Michael Sun Bear]

Hello Roma, I saw you were frequently reviewing Friends and popped over to take a look at your work. This is the first poem I have read. I really enjoyed it. I love the rhythm and rhyme and the magical world of night you made so vividly alive.

[RomaJ]

Thank you so much for visiting and reading this piece. I’m so glad the rhythm and the night’s little enchantments spoke to you. I’ve always been fascinated by how darkness can feel both mysterious and comforting..like a world humming quietly beneath the one we know. I truly appreciate your kind words and the time you took to explore my work.

[andrew mitchell]

A joy to read Roma, love the topic, witches were so in tune with nature.

[RomaJ]

Andrew, thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I absolutely agree..that deep connection to nature and the ancient earth is exactly what I wanted to capture in this forest witch. ! I appreciate you reading!

[honey]

as a practicing witch, this was soooo beautiful to read! thank you so much for sharing, i love this piece so much!

[RomaJ]

I am so delighted to hear that! Knowing that the dark, luring energy resonated with a practicing witch means the world. Thank you for reading.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

"Drink the dark with me" fantastic line.
I would like to take that walk with the speaker mentioned in stanza 6...
It would feel good...I could use that walk tonight.
j.

[RomaJ]

j. thank you so much! The only drink I can offer that’s truly dark is coffee -- maybe tea too, haha. I’m so glad that line resonated with you. That walk in stanza 6 is exactly the kind of quiet, shadowed journey I imagined -- just the trees, the stars, and the hush of night. It’s the perfect kind of evening to wander like that and let the forest and the dark work their magic. I really appreciate your kind words.

[Vol]

Roma,
Well, I LOVE it! And I admire your ability to stick with the form all the way through... Wonder use of atmosphere and imagery to build a lovely bit of Halloween cheer! Great job!
I cannot do those things that define poetic forms and rules, thus my mantra "FREE VERSE, FREE VERSE!"
Thank you for the opportunity to tell everyone how humble I am!
Vol

[RomaJ]

Thank you so much, Vol! That means a lot coming from you. I actually fell in love with rhyme poetry when I was about twelve, after reading The Raven and Annabel Lee -- I was completely captivated! Poe’s work is so precise and musical, with really strict rhyme schemes and meter -- way too complex for me haha

I’ve never dared to try anything that strict, so I just stick to simpler rhymes, haha. I do love free verse all the way, though! Still, it’s fun to play with rhyme now and then -- especially for something a little dark and witchy like this one. Your "FREE VERSE, FREE VERSE!" definitely made me smile.

[Vol]

You Bet!!!
Poe is a favorite of mine, too... his poems are written so we can hear his heart... beat... beat... beat... you can hear it like it comes through a stethoscope.
Vol

[John the Baptist]

Rhyming in this one is quite good, and the imagery creates a supernatural atmosphere. The romantic aspect holds its own, though.

[RomaJ]

Thank you, John. I really appreciate your thoughts and kind words. Witches are just so enchanting...and I was going for that forest witch vibe with a darkly romantic spell, so I’m glad the tone came through.

[Travis Gibson (poetic h..]

Whoa... this is phenomenal! Truly a piece for writers. This is what poetry is all about. So many layers and imagery mixed in beautiful wordplay. Definitely an instant favorite for me! Bravo!

[RomaJ]

Travis, "Phenomenal" and an "instant favorite". That means the world coming from another writer!
read moreTravis, "Phenomenal" and an "instant favorite". That means the world coming from another writer!
​I'm thrilled you caught the layers and imagery; I really wanted the wordplay to feel rich and evocative. Thank you for such an incredible compliment! Bravo right back at you!

[Lisa SFF writer]

Your words are hauntingly beautiful and evocative. They stir dark feelings deep within the soul. An ode to the night, perfect prose for this time of the year.

[RomaJ]

Lisa, that is truly the highest compliment! I was hoping the words would stir those dark feelings and truly capture the spirit of the night.
​I'm so glad it feels like a perfect ode to the night for this time of year. Thank you for reading and for your beautiful words!

[Soren]

A wonderful poem in form and rhyme it holds a great seasonal theme. Nicely done

[RomaJ]

Thank you! I'm delighted you enjoyed the form and rhyme and felt the seasonal theme. I appreciate you reading it.

[Soren]

You are most welcome