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Halloween Eve's Double Tanka

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Author's Notes: On a lighter side of Halloween for a change, I wrote these two tankas for Halloween Eve under the title: "Halloween Eve's Double Tanka." The first tanka touches on a normally-mentioned common fear on what might the result be, if the "Veil" between "Life and Death" should be breached or is opened during Halloween Eve. This theme line has also been popular fodder at times among some screenwriters who produce horror scripts for movies. And the second tanka speaks to the merriment often noted especially by little kids when they encounter a carved and lighted-pumpkin with the smiling or grinning Jack O'Lantern face. Usually the presence of a Jack O'Lantern and candy go hand-in-hand for Halloween. Happy Halloween to all!! (Gary Bateman - October 9, 2015) (Tanka)

Categories: dark, fantasy, fun, halloween, imagery, metaphor, and myth.

Syllable Grouping: 5-7-5-7-7 = 31 Syllables for each Tanka

Total Lines (Verses) for each Tanka = 5

Total Words = 21 (First Tanka) and 21 (Second Tanka)

("How Many Syllables Counter" was used for syllable confirmation for both automated and manual syllable counts and cross-check.)

Halloween Eve’s Double Tanka Halloween Eve’s here— Departed souls cross over The Veil is open . . . The living are always scared . . . Of things they understand not! Halloween Eve’s here— A Jack O’Lantern smiles now His grin’s inviting . . . Kids find him so exciting . . . Question: Where’s the candy at? Gary Bateman, Copyright © All Rights Reserved, October 9, 2015 (Tanka)

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Liam Mcdaid

Date: 10/11/2015 2:35:00 PM

really excellent pen gary passing you a warm smile pal

Gary Bateman
Date: 10/12/2015 9:13:00 AM

Thanks Liam Mate!! Always most appreciated!! Cheers and Best, Gary

Dorian Petersen Potter

Date: 10/10/2015 12:15:00 AM

Hi G!This is a great Halloween Tanka poem, that you've penned here my dear friend Gary.Excellent in theme and form! Well done, G! Very beautifully written.Just awesome!I love it.Golden pen!A 7+! A fav.And again, so sorry to hear that you and Ingrid have been down with a very nasty cold, G. And I really hope and pray that you both recover your good health very soon, the sooner the better.Sending love n' prayers to you and Ingrid.Just take very good care of each other now.All the best to you always,G! Keep the ink flowing when you get well again!Wishing you a very lovely week!In His light!God bless you always!:)D.

Gary Bateman
Date: 10/11/2015 7:17:00 AM

Hello Dear One "D"!! Thanks for your great comments as always. And the "TR" and "FAV." Yup, the Flu really messed up both of us. I'm still not back at my full capacity writing. Same, same with you. Keep up all of the wonderful work you're doing with your poetry. I will try to drop by more. (I'm also writing "short stories" now for my planned second book.) Never a dull moment!! Cheers and Best!! Gary

Judy Konos

Date: 10/9/2015 8:56:00 AM

Enjoyed your poem which left me wondering, 'Do kids really trick as they once did?'

Gary Bateman
Date: 10/9/2015 10:03:00 AM

Hello Judy, Happy Halloween to you!! Honestly, I really don't know what the kids do know as far as any "trick." Things have changed so much over the years in American society. I sense it has a lot to do with where one lives and how traditions are followed. Besides, I live now in Germany, and believe it or not, Halloween has picked up currency here among the really young kids. Hope this helps. Have a great weekend!! Cheers and Best, Gary

Frank Black Blacharczyk

Date: 10/9/2015 8:47:00 AM

I like ' The living are always scared....of things they understand not!' I can take this meaning many ways but being who I am it's underlying meaning may have nothing to do with Halloween and everything to do with people's reaction in our ever changing society and our view of other cultures.

Gary Bateman
Date: 10/9/2015 10:09:00 AM

Hello Frank, I think you might be spot-on with your assessment. The "Thin Veil" myth concerning the Living and the Dead has currency in a number of sources talking about the pagan overtones of the origin of Halloween. And your right about different cultures. I live here in Germany, and the Germans focus more on Walpurgis Nacht than they do Halloween, although they do have a lot of "Witch Parties" on Halloween Eve since I come from an area near the Brocken Summit in Harz where ancient witchcraft was practiced. Cheers and Best, Gary

Demetrios Trifiatis

Date: 10/9/2015 5:26:00 AM

Mein guter freund, Garry, another jewel of a hallowing writing in two awe inspiring Tanka! I hope you will allow me to give a seven to each!

Gary Bateman
Date: 10/9/2015 7:50:00 AM

Herr Professor!! Ich bedanke mich sehr fuer deinen tollen Kommentar!! I'm trying hard to reprise my old title from last year: "The Goethe of Halloween." I will gladly and most humbly accept a "Seven" from you for each Tanka Mein Guter Freund!! Cheers and Best, Gary