My dearest sister
How I wish you were here  to help me
muddle through this mess I'm in
It's my fault   I know it is   but I need
you to tell me it'll be okay   everything
will work out fine

I have done the deed.

Those damn witches   they knew
what they were doing they knew
he was superstitious   gullible   weak
ambitious they knew
But he was weak   yes he was
would not have done it
without my urging cajoling   questioning
his manhood

...and with him—
To leave no rubs nor botches in the work—
Fleance his son, that keeps him company,
Whose absence is no less material to me
Than his father's, must embrace the fate
Of that dark hour.

And then Banquo   why him
he didn't know anything   not for sure
couldn't prove anything
And oh   the banquet a disaster
a disaster his carrying on   acting
like a madman   hallucinating   shouting
everyone stared   whispered   got them
talking later   I'm sure speculating
wondering about things

The castle of Macduff I will surprise,
Seize upon Fife, give to the edge o'the sword
His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls
That trace him in his line.

And the worst of it   dear sister
the very worst
Macduff's wife children servants
children! Oh he has become a monster
everyone hates him   fears him
they're leaving   all leaving   no one
left to care   I did   once   I did love him

My dear sister
the blood   the blood   it stays
it stays
when will I see you next?

Italicized quotes from Macbeth by William Shakespeare.

Elmae Passineau finds poems in memories, readings, photos, dreams, and daily activities and tries to capture them in words. Sometimes, she does.