A HALLOWEEN POEM

Twilight on a crisp, cool autumn night. Jack-O-lanterns spring to life with amber flames dancing in their eyes.

Youthful anticipation fills the air as finishing touches are applied. A whisker here, a drop of blood there.

While father sips on witches brew, mother enjoys a Merlot or two. “It’s just about time to hit the road. Grab your bags, kids, let’s get ready to go!”

As families gather and prepare to leave, little ones consider the bountiful treasure of candies they’ll receive!

Outside an orange harvest moon watches from the sky as thin wisps of clouds silently pass by.

On the side of a house a young brother lurks, to frighten his sister in a hockey mask. What a jerk!

Front yards portray elaborate displays with monsters recalled from our childhood days.

From a green flat-top with bolts in his neck to a half-man/half-beast that howls from a deck.

An ancient bandaged one who stumbles down the stairs. The bride of a creature with white lightning in her hair.

Gnarled hands reach through upturned soil as black iron cauldrons bubble and boil.

An endless array of macabre sights to see on this spooky and ghoulish All Hallows’ Eve!

Now look to the sidewalk, familiar characters abound. A policeman, a princess, a hobo, a clown.

A parade of colorful costumes galore. There’s super hero’s, ballerinas, Ninja Turtles, and more!

All the neighborhood houses are handing out sweets! Just ring a doorbell and yell, “TRICK OR TREAT!”

The apple orchard reveals another scene all together. Stiff as a board, light as a feather. A spell’s being cast with hopes to summon a ghost, by devilish and mischievous, naive teenage hosts.

Cut through the cemetery to the Old Swider home. Me? I’m not scared, I’ll go in alone.

Forgotten. Haunted. I step through the door. An innocent creaking implies so much more.

From the eerie stillness a mouse scurries by. The flutter of a bat catches my eye.

A once grand staircase now serves as an omen. The banister’s missing, the steps are all broken.

 With trepidation I climb to an uncertain fate. On second thought, I should probably head home, it is getting late.

Overruled by pride, with nowhere to hide, I resolve to face the “evil” spirits inside.

I reach the landing still standing. There’s darkness below. Down the hall to my left, an ethereal glow.

In the silence, a warning sent from the hereafter. The unmistakable sound of a child’s playful laughter.

Lonely and menacing, the chilling echo resonates. I creep in its direction, intent to investigate.

I peek ’round the threshold into the dimly lit room. A weighty feeling surrounds me of misery and gloom.

In the corner, a shadow and movement within. My heart skips a beat, the tremors begin.

Slowly, a dark silhouette starts to rise. Into the moonlight steps a boy, of age four, maybe five.

In tattered pajamas and dirty bare feet, his sinister smile reveals razor sharp teeth.

Mirth in his eyes, I hear him quietly say, “Hello mister. Did you come here to play?”

With World Class speed I shot down the hall. Sprinted the stairs and tried not to fall. Tangled in webs all along the way, through the open front door I made my escape.

I see morning skies, the sun’s on the rise. Hours have passed in the blink of an eye.

My friends have long left, I’m out here alone. My parents will wonder why I never came home.

They’ll be angry for certain, of that I have no doubt. They’ll never believe what happened in the Old Swider House.

Well, what can I do? This story is simply too astounding. I guess we’ll talk again in a month or two, when I’m finally off of my grounding!!