Salem’s Secret

A joyful stroll down a quiet street
In town known for Christmas treats
There is no joy for Halloween
Never a ghost or goblin seen,
Yet underneath the righteous church
Held in cages made of black birch,
Lawmen’s watchful eyes are at work.

See only the peaceful view of town
Villagers don’t venture down
Underneath the snowy streets,
Where the law and evil meet.
Secrets there in dungeons dark
Are quite a contrast to snowy parks
Where people stroll on sidewalks, clean
And under the church is never seen.

Wealthy holiday visitors are invited
Holidays show above town exciting.
Down in the bowels beneath the crosses
Pain and death cause many losses.

Women are held in cages strong
Women held many years long
Lawmen keep their distance, safe
When by the “witches”, quicken their pace.
Above a peaceful white Christmas card
But under is blood red and survival hard.

***