Sisters

by Aurora Lewis

First published in Fall, 2009, Volume 6, Issue 2, The Hatchet: Journal of Lizzie Borden Studies.

Twin sisters born fair of face

One named Rose the other Grace

They shared no love when each was born

Given to jealousy and deepest scorn

True love they would never find

Both were evil and the devil’s kind

Rose met a man of wealth and fame

But it was Grace longing to share his name

The man knew not of their shared hate

His love of Rose her mortal fate

Grace plotted to enchant him away

Her twin sister she planned to slay

She mixed a brew from nightshade in bloom

With her sister’s death he would be Rose’s groom

The deceitful Grace reached out to Rose

Feigning love as the same blood in their veins flows

Rose welcomed her sister‘s pretences of love

Grace spoke to her like the cooing of a dove

She came bearing a gift of wine

Made from the berries of the nightshade vine

Rose took a sip and grabbed at her throat

While Grace smiled and appeared to gloat

She watched her sister wretch and die

Their eyes fixed there was no cry

Grace became Rose and married the man

A golden ring he placed on her hand

But the ghost of Rose appeared each night

Consuming her sister with unspeakable fright

Grace screamed and hollered until the break of dawn

Before too long the groom was gone

A voice whispered in Grace’s ear

For all your life you‘ll know this fear

You took my name to become a wife

Your evil ways will end your life

Standing before a window bare

Grace leaped into the midnight air

The ghost of Rose was laid to rest

As Grace fell to her waiting death