Gary Bateman Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

Author's Notes:  Co-Authored Halloween poem with Liam McDaid and myself on October 13, 2014. (Contest Entry for Halloween Co-Writes, 5 Nov 14, Diane Locksley - Sponsor)

Gary Bateman, October 18, 2014 (Free Verse poetic format)

Categories:  allegory, courage, emotions, fantasy, feelings, magic, and poetry.

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)

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Anne-Lise Andresen November 6, 2014 at 12:20 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 :) Gary Bateman November 7, 2014 at 6:45 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 November 5, 2014 at 4:02 AM reading all your comments dear friends heartfelt warm beautiful smiling thank you all deeply Gary Bateman November 7, 2014 at 6:47 AM Liam My Mate . . . The Leprechaun Choir is singing for us too here!! Cheers, Gary

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

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

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

Diane Locksley November 4, 2014 at 1:24 PM I got the chills when the ghost touched the boy's shoulder. Excellent story told in verse. Congratulations on your win! Gary Bateman November 4, 2014 at 9:16 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 October 29, 2014 at 3:19 PM I missed this one earlier...love it! I can see why you never talked about it. Great one, Gary and Liam. Gary Bateman November 1, 2014 at 6:36 PM Thanks ML!! We are sooooo secretive!! Best!! Gary

Anne-Lise Andresen October 22, 2014 at 3:07 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 Gary Bateman October 22, 2014 at 9:07 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 October 18, 2014 at 4:37 PM Ah, I thought I read this. Congratulations on the two of you. Gary Bateman October 18, 2014 at 5:19 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 October 18, 2014 at 5:14 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 October 18, 2014 at 4:21 PM Loved it the second time around as well...good luck guys Gary Bateman October 18, 2014 at 5:18 PM Thanks Tim!! We'll see what happens. Cheers, Gary