A raven flew into her hair one day and asked to make a home. The raven promised her everything. "You'll never be alone." She allowed the bird to perch in her thoughts and dreams. The raven kept all promises. "The world isn't what it seems." Her powers grew strong and true like nothing ever seen. …
There's a woman selling pumpkins and gleaming carving knives. She's selling rose-red apples and tricks for stealing lives. The black birds call her mother. The wolves bring her fresh meat. The spiders weave her dresses. She calls them all,"My sweet." There's a woman selling pumpkins and she calls herself a queen. She rules the spirits …
For no reason particular reason, my husband and I started watching old JK Rowling interviews. Years ago, when only three Harry Potter existed, a friend lent them to me. "Read these," she said. "You'll love them." I read all three in one weekend. Those were days when I could spend an entire weekend on the …
Halloween is coming. Are your pumpkins nicely carved? Are your apples dripping poison? Are your skeletons well starved? Halloween is coming. Is your broom ready to fly? Is your cauldron hot and boiling? Is your mirror set to scry? Halloween is coming. Has your cat sharpened her claws? Has your Tarot deck been sorted? Has …
If I were a witch in a fairy tale, I'd live deep in dark, green wood. Ravens and wolves would accompany me whether I was bad or good. If I were a witch in a fairy tale, I'd have books and bells and wings. Children would flock to hear my stories and play in my …
Every October I wish I lived somewhere with a real fall when days arrived with sweaters and boots and autumn leaves. It did drop to below 90 here, so that was something. And I convinced myself I felt a hint of cool on the breeze. Regardless, October is here and magic is coming. I'm dedicating …
Days like this remind of one of my favorite novels, Mama Day by Gloria Naylor. I return to it time and time again. It starts on the shores of Africa, a simple breeze among the palms and cassavas, before it's carried off, tied up with thousands like it, on a strong wave heading due west. …
As a kid, I loved reading about the zodiac. I had my mother's dogeared copy of Linda Goodman's sun signs. Are you familiar with it? Are you familiar with it? I read it again and again, looking for clues to understanding myself and others. Did it help? Well, there's a lot of rubbish in horoscopes. …
In a few days, I have another art show! Shows never feel any less exciting or anxiety inducing, but each time I try to do something different. At my reception, I'll be giving away new things: bookmarks, stickers, and magic spells. Well, we could call them magic spells for fun or quirky, motivational-esque poems. It's …
In 1991, I was sitting in a grad school class--something about literary criticism--and one of the guys in the class stated that he wasn't sexist. He'd never done anything against women, you see. He was a nice guy. This was true. He was a nice guy. I don't mean that ironically or sarcastically. A young …
Marta Bacon 