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Gary Bateman | + Follow Poet |
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A Halloween Story

One dark and dreary night many, many moons ago
myself and a friend coming home from the local disco
no names mentioned smiling . . .
and in the far distance we could see and hear three girls
laughing and giggling and having fun 

This was Halloween Night or All Hallows' Eve . . .
and so we climbed up the nearest evergreen 
barely breathing, holding our breaths . . .
so they would not hear us and sense our presence
the one directly in the middle as they neared us
in passing a quick clip at the back of the head said 
do you want to hear the screams roaring out of
them away hammer and tongs up the road

We could hear them shouting and carrying on . . .
I'm sure that place is haunted
to this day they tell their story claiming it to be real
well better still was to come for both of us 
laughing our hearts out giggling like madmen
 
I felt like a gruesome hand of ice just touched me . . .  
the tremors ran down my spine
jolting me in a most terrible way
almost felt like a gripping sensation on my shoulder 
almost falling of the tree with a roar
 
My good friend starting screaming making it worse . . . 
saying somebody must of touched us the same time
we looked at each other and made a race to get home 
just got really spooked and ran the whole 3 miles home 
in a record time ever saying my holy prayers every stroll of the way . . .
a most hideous and macabre thought -- a ghost touched me 
as the cold ran right through me chilling me to the bone
never was I as glad to see holy water in the house 
I bless myself for being lucky  
never ever have I pulled such a prank 
from that night to this . . .
 
It backfired on us so we chose never to say
a word about it ever again!!
And now we can only say: BOO!! BOO!! BOO!!
And Happy Halloween!!
 
Liam McDaid and Gary Bateman, Free Verse Collaboration (October 13, 2014)
(Contest Entry for Halloween Co-Writes, 5 Nov 14, Diane Locksley - Sponsor)

Copyright © Gary Bateman | Year Posted 2014

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Anne-Lise Andresen Date: 11/6/2014 12:20:00 PM - I'm a little late ..... But, I will congratulate you with a 4th place Gary and Liam - a great winning poems! - oxox // Anne-Lise :) Login to Reply Gary Bateman Date: 11/7/2014 6:45:00 AM Thanks Anne-Lise!! I'm just glad we had the opportunity to submit our joint write here in the contest. I am continually amazed at the very high quality of the large number of writers here in PoetrySoup. I learn something every time I read someone else's poetry!! And I have learned a great deal so far. Have a great weekend!! Best Wishes, Gary

Liam Mcdaid Date: 11/5/2014 4:02:00 AM reading all your comments dear friends heartfelt warm beautiful smiling thank you all deeply Login to Reply Gary Bateman Date: 11/7/2014 6:47:00 AM Liam My Mate . . . The Leprechaun Choir is singing for us too here!! Cheers, Gary

Tim Smith Date: 11/4/2014 10:42:00 PM Congrats Gary on this fine co write with liam...cheers Login to Reply Gary Bateman Date: 11/5/2014 4:08:00 PM Thanks Tim!! More to come in the future!! Cheers, Gary

Brenda Meier-Hans Date: 11/4/2014 7:17:00 PM Congratulations Gary. I'm glad to see this poem on the winning list. Login to Reply Gary Bateman Date: 11/4/2014 9:12:00 PM Thanks so much Brenda . . . Glad you enjoyed it!! Best Wishes, Gary

Jan Allison Date: 11/4/2014 1:40:00 PM Many congrats Gary and Liam on this chilling Halloween write:-) Hugs Jan xx Login to Reply Gary Bateman Date: 11/4/2014 9:13:00 PM Thanks Jan!! And Congrats to you as well!! Best Wishes, Gary

Diane Locksley Date: 11/4/2014 1:24:00 PM I got the chills when the ghost touched the boy's shoulder. Excellent story told in verse. Congratulations on your win! Login to Reply Gary Bateman Date: 11/4/2014 9:16:00 PM Thanks Diane, I know that Liam and I are thrilled that our poem placed in the contest. (A lot of very fine writers in the group!!) Best Wishes, Gary

M. L. Kiser Date: 10/29/2014 3:19:00 PM I missed this one earlier...love it! I can see why you never talked about it. Great one, Gary and Liam. Login to Reply Gary Bateman Date: 11/1/2014 6:36:00 PM Thanks ML!! We are sooooo secretive!! Best!! Gary

Anne-Lise Andresen Date: 10/22/2014 3:07:00 AM - An exciting and skillfully written Halloween poem /story,Gary! - We should be careful about demons, spirits and ghosts on a Halloween night - BOo ! - Booo! -Legenden Says that powerful ancient forces of evil conveyed their powers to allow one day a year where they could be unleashed on the world - a time when the dream plane between life and death is weakened as demons, spirits, ghosts and other creatures can have catastrophic easier access to this world - Luck in the contest! - // Anne-Lise Login to Reply Gary Bateman Date: 10/22/2014 9:07:00 PM Thank you Anne-Lise from both Liam and me!! You are certainly right about the thin veil separating the dream plane between life and death. I live an hour's drive here in Germany from the Brocken Summit in the Harz which was Goethe's focus with his Dance of the Witches in Faust. Ghost, Witches, Goblins BOO!! Halloween is Close!! Gary

Brenda Meier-Hans Date: 10/18/2014 4:37:00 PM Ah, I thought I read this. Congratulations on the two of you. Login to Reply Gary Bateman Date: 10/18/2014 5:19:00 PM You did Brenda. Turns out we both have to co-authored works posted, especially if you enter a contest calling for such. We'll see if the ghost and goblins shine happily on us. Best!! Gary Gary Bateman Date: 10/18/2014 5:14:00 PM You did Brenda. Turns out we both have to co-authored works posted, especially if you enter a contest calling for such. We'll see if the ghost and goblins shine happily on us. Best!! Gary

Tim Smith Date: 10/18/2014 4:21:00 PM Loved it the second time around as well...good luck guys Login to Reply Gary Bateman Date: 10/18/2014 5:18:00 PM Thanks Tim!! We'll see what happens. Cheers, Gary