Memories of Macbeth

The Beginning of Tragedy

Scene from Macbeth | iStock

Skylarks, persimmon seeds,

blood on the hands:

Three Witches stirring

and stirring the fresh

newt eyes,

round and round

they watch the boils

and toils and troubles.

***

Darkened forest

with a new moon rising,

smoke omens and smoke augury:

the king dethroned

and the chattering

consuming the throne room.

The wailing of the queen;

the wailing under the sword.

***

The witches stir and stir;

a string ready to cut,

a string between scissors,

the fate between scissors,

the witches keep stirring

and stirring, and Lady Macbeth

lets down her long, unkempt hair,

her white gown with red stains.

The nurse

catches the baby in her hands: