Editor’s Note: The following poem was written by Callaway teacher Tina Donegan and will be performed by a Callaway High School speech student.

There were 12 of us sitting on the cold pews in the courtroom.

The stiff wood cutting into our backs and legs but none of this compared to the daggers of accusations our own friends had thrown at us.

We sat there in silence, awaiting what the judge’s final decision would be.

Would we be witches or would we be seen as the God-loving people we truly are? Would our lives be able to go back to “normal” before the chaos occurred?

Before the lies and accusations.

Ridiculous allegations and jealousy brought us here. People threw our names through the streets like yesterday’s trash and made up fables that would withstand the test of time.

Reflecting on the rumors of dancing in the woods, calling Satan to do our dirty work, worshipping anyone but God and trying to steal other people’s spouses, is complete nonsense.

With due time, the courts would surely see these false pretenses and do the right thing.

Someday, when people hear the name Salem, they will laugh at the notion of such fools making up senseless gibberish.

Our names will prevail and be restored. When we walk past our accusers someday, we will smile without hesitation and forgive them for their sins.

We will be the bigger people and look past their own downfalls, knowing that what they said was false.

They will be the ones persecuted for their lies when they stand before God.

The judge is staring at you with hollow eyes, the kind you cannot get a read on.

Does he actually believe we would fulfill these prophecies?

That cannot be true. He will do the right thing and bring the justice of God upon us.

He will see the innocence in the eyes we stare back at him with.

We will not hang in the town square for all to see. That cannot be possible. After all, these were just lies that spread like wildfire, lighting all the souls in its path that believed them.

The waves of truth will come crashing down and we will return to our homes, our loving families, our children and walk into the sunlight of restored faith in our justice system.

The judge stands. Ready to read the verdict. My palms are sweating. My mind is racing. I am waiting for the sweet vengeance of not guilty to ring through the courtroom.

He opens his mouth. There is complete silence cast throughout the courtroom.

The words slip through his lips and in an instant I am on my knees, begging for these devil’s echo to not ring true.

Guilty.