The witch of Endor

I lit the fire like always

Said the words I always say

Took the coin he pressed into my palm

And sent his fear away

I knew the trade was hollow

Knew the spirits never came

Just smoke and fear and firelight

I had done this a thousand times

Just a very old game

But the air went wrong

And the fire went flat

And something cold moved in

And I could not take it back

Something answered

Something rose up through the floor

Something older than my darkness

Something I had never seen before

I never summoned anyone

I never had that kind of power

The Lord sent back his prophet

And it broke me in that hour

The king had come in secret

Wrapped in common cloth and lies

I knew him when I looked at him

Behind those frightened eyes

I should have turned him from my door

I should have let him go

But I took his gold and lit the fire

And called up what I did not know

Then the air went wrong

And the fire went flat

And something cold moved through me

And I could not take it back

Something answered

Something rose up through the floor

Something older than my darkness

Something I had never seen before

I never summoned anyone

I never had that kind of power

The Lord sent back his prophet

And it broke me in that hour

He said, the Lord has left you

He said, the kingdom's torn away

He said, tomorrow you will join me

I had nothing left to say

The king fell full length on the ground

A man with nothing left to be

I stood above him shaking

He finally believed

And so did I

So did I

Something answered

Something cold came through the floor

Something older than all my tricks

Something I had never bargained for

I spent my life in darkness

Thought I knew what darkness was

Then the Lord of all the living

Showed me what real darkness does

I fed him bread before he left

I didn't know what else to do

The fire had gone cold in the pit

And I knew that I knew

And I knew that I knew