| Commentary and Philosophy Poetry posted June 10, 2009 |
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Reflective Quatrains
The Ghost of Bridget Bishop
by adewpearl
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Bridget Bishop, too flamboyant, wore a bodice made of red. Widowed twice when not yet forty, took third husband to her bed. Ran a tavern, public drinking, serving cider late at night. Tongues were wagging, talk of witchcraft, hanging her would serve her right. This grave story, although tragic, certainly means naught today. Superstitions that killed Bridget surely all have died away. Ask the children of Kinshasa, forced to vomit demons out. Ask the exorcising preachers, planting seeds of fear and doubt. Will the world allow new Salems? Outcast kids roam Congo's streets. The ghost of Bridget Bishop cries, watching her sad tale repeat. |
 Recognized |
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June 10, 1692 was the first hanging of the infamous Salem witch trials. Bridget Bishop, a woman in her 50's, who led a life a bit too on the wild side for her Puritan neighbors, was the first to die.
Nightline, the New York Times and many news agencies, have reported lately on the plight of children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, especially in the city of Kinshasa, who are being accused of witchcraft. Just as it is suspected that Bridget Bishop had stepchildren who stood to gain financially from her death, it seems clear that the non-denominational preachers accusing children of witchcraft in the Congo, are benefiting from their charges. They perform brutal exorcisms on these small children if their parents can pay the $50 fee. Because the average salary in the Congo is only $100 for a year, many can't pay.
Save the Children, a global organization that works in the Congo, estimates that 70% of Kinshasa's 15,000 homeless street children have been abandoned because their families believe them to be witches.
Pays
one point
and 2 member cents. Nightline, the New York Times and many news agencies, have reported lately on the plight of children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, especially in the city of Kinshasa, who are being accused of witchcraft. Just as it is suspected that Bridget Bishop had stepchildren who stood to gain financially from her death, it seems clear that the non-denominational preachers accusing children of witchcraft in the Congo, are benefiting from their charges. They perform brutal exorcisms on these small children if their parents can pay the $50 fee. Because the average salary in the Congo is only $100 for a year, many can't pay.
Save the Children, a global organization that works in the Congo, estimates that 70% of Kinshasa's 15,000 homeless street children have been abandoned because their families believe them to be witches.
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