Voodoo Authentica by Suzanne Kauer

This little piece was something I wrote at a writer's retreat I did in June of 2005. The prompt was to write the story behind a picture, and my picture was of a sign for a New Orleans shop called "Voodoo Authentica."

I imagine perhaps she-- the real master-- smooth and lined and proud and wearing
Kmart--
walks by with a smile meant for no one
and KNOWS the voodoo isn't in Voodoo Authentica.

And she's amused, bemused, but not annoyed,
with the demeanor of one with confidence enough in her own power
that she need not show it.

Just for laughs she utters a quick charm
for the pig-tailed girl she can see in the store--
a sweet little speckled thing enthralled with the wares.

Mistress will spare a little magic for the young thing.