Lake of the Dead

Searched for the devils mark cord wrenched around the

head chained to the wall of the cell witches bridle forced

inside, prevented from rest a bodkin inserted

hung up by the thumbs burned between the toes

asked of conspirators judgement passed down

taken to the waters edge priests prepare a lost soul

on a quest to cleanse the land

left foot fastened to the right hand strung between

the shore and boat swung and pelted with stones

introduced to the lake

a guilty witch to float retrieved and quickly hanged

an innocent is sure to sink and cleared of past

mistakes, church officials watch for an sign of

pain to prove guilt, murdering allowed by their lord