The Puerto Rican Literature Project

Too bad about Gertrude.

They say she disappeared in

view of seven witnesses.

I hear that glassware

flew in frenzied aim against

the walls    that tables

moved by unknown means and

chairs would spin in vicious

swirls    only to land quite

soundlessly upon the rug.

Amazement at occurrence

rare    the townsfolk whispered

timidly about witches.

Meanwhile Gertrude

taut    strained    Gertrude

sat    eyes riveted to places

no one dared to enter.

 One day    as neighbors

peeped into her window

Gertrude turned and smiled

then slowly she was raised by

unseen hands to crash against

the skylight on the roof.

The neighbors screamed in fear 

as Gertrude flew above the 

splintered glass    high

higher to the sky    her broken/p>

neck tilting an angle of

      goodbye.