SFoxWriting’s Alphabet Challenge ~ “V”

Voodoo: One of many incarnations of African-based spiritual folkways rooted in West African Dahomeyan Vodun. Also, my kitty, the one in the featured image.

If you have read my short story titled Cooper the Cat, Voodoo is first introduced there as one of the surprises that Cooper had in store for us. I knew almost immediately after Voodoo was born that we would keep her. She picked me. She was the only kitten that didn’t run from my hand the first time we were allowed to touch them. On the contrary, she clumsily made her way toward it and played with my fingers. She was the runt of the litter. For a while, we weren’t sure she would make it. She was dropper fed for a period of time. Back then her name wasn’t Voodoo. Initially she was “Poe”. It felt a bit like a boy’s name so for a brief time we went with “Rogue” instead. It didn’t really suit her so soon after she got her permanent name, Voodoo. There is a potion popular to Louisiana Voodoo called “cure-all”. Jimson weed (which is highly toxic, so don’t try this at home), sulfur & honey are mixed and poured in a glass, which is rubbed on a black cat before the mixture is slowly sipped. Today our black cat is strong and healthy and a beloved member of the family.

Voodoo
Be wary a woman that kisses one cheek
And upon the other places two.
It is there she leaves her mark
On the victim of her hoodoo.

In your pocket place their hair
To give your foe a pang,
Or turn their picture upside down
And leave it there to hang.

Some advice for the cursed
Take bristles of a ritual hog.
Bear the bundle on your person
To protect you from the fog.

Perhaps not stamped by a hex
You simply lack good fortune.
Obtain a lock of a woman’s hair
And carry it as your talisman.

 

Image taken by Brian Page.