Beyond the Veil
Someday, when I have finished with this life, I shall live in Autumn,
In a cozy little village with cobblestone streets and lanterns
with a soft, golden glow instead of street lights.
There will be village shops that serve tea and simple meals any time one likes.
They will sell all manner of enchanting and interesting goods,
Book shops with all the books one could ever want.
Of course, a shop for fiber and fabric, needles, scissors, and hoops.
People will roam the village,
out and about into the wee hours of the night,
All kind, all safe.
In my little cottage I shall stitch with glorious colorful threads
on fabrics of every kind, everyday, creating beauty.
I shall collect herbs and flowers, leaves and roots, from garden and woods,
brewing potions and powders, vinegars and teas,
to keep in colored jars on a shelf, Passing them along as needed.
All the cottages will have gardens with glorious flowers
in shades of orange, red, gold, and brown,
Trees tall and thick with age.
The scent of the autumn earth, with hints of cinnamon and clove,
pumpkin and apple, will waft on the wind.
And a misty, feral forest will surround my village,
inviting one to roam, day or night, without worry.
I shall be able to see and speak to all the people and pets I’ve ever loved.
A witch knows that when she passes
she goes to the place she has created,
And so there is where I shall go.
Copyright EA Kaufman October 2026
Many years ago I read Robert Cochrane’s works and was extremely influenced by them in my practice of witchcraft. In particular was something that made a most profound impression upon me. I paraphrase, but basically he wrote that when we die we will go to the place that we have created. We, being witches, I assumed. I have thought about this a great deal over the years, creating my place where I will go. I have been very careful in that creation, visiting it now and then, refining it. I knew then and more so now that it was something of great importance.
A friend recently sent me a link to a Halloween YouTube video, AI generated, Halloween themed. I watched, enjoyed, and then sat down and wrote the poem shared here. I hope it inspires you to consider Cochrane’s idea of beyond the veil.
Blessings dark and deep!
Image from YouTube, The Village Where It’s Halloween