The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern

by Lynda Cohen Loigman

she was supposed to be moved to a place beyond words, transported by the sound, swept away. But all she felt was mild irritation at being confined to her seat for so long.

If I had been born a man, they would have called me an apothecary. Perhaps even a doctor, if I’d had the training. But because I was born a woman, they called me a witch instead. To ignorant men, every gifted woman is a witch.”

“Words can do anything,” she said. “A kind word can fix a person’s spirit. A cruel one can break a person’s heart. Wicked words have caused wars, and honest words have made peace. Why shouldn’t they be able to heal?”