the black kettle

 
the clock ticked loudly
inside the sunlit room
cheery faces shaded over
and smiles became ominous

I saw when the dark crept in
unnoticed by everyone else
the bleak seemed to wash over the unwary
and everyday conversations turned mean

vicious tongues wag prayers with a gleam in their eye
gossip with insidious intent
spreading the gospel while dishing the dirt
I watched as the room seemed to laugh

the spirit had them in its maw
granny Jessip god bless her soul
please pray for her
insert gossip here

I looked on with fear
nothing deadlier than an old crone
stirring the pot till it boils over