A Halloween Tale

I can still hear the echo of bells tolling its dirge.
As I sat on my rocking chair in the semi-darkness.  
Outside as if in defiance the moon shone brightly
Illuminating my room through the large bay windows.
I felt tired, eyelids half closed, but sleep eluded me.

The night was calm as few clouds flitted on the breeze.
There on a shining stratocumulus, was my wife,
Was she waving at me? It couldn’t actually be.
Must be some hallucination, for she quickly disappeared
Like some gentle ghost into a supreme sweet spot,
Where only absolute celestial happiness could exist.

Suddenly darkness engulfed the bay and infiltrated my room.
A far away deadly laughter echoed in my abode.
And in the dim light, I saw a black widow spider
Deadly crawling slowly towards my emaciated body.
Let death take its toll, I cared not as I grieved.
But life could play tricks even in dire situations.
The spider cared not where it was expecting to be,
And as the rocking chair continued its monotonous swing,
It crashed the spider under one of its wooden curved bands.

I uttered some choice mutterings for death was not mine.
But the soft deadly laughter continued, tapering into nothingness.
Was this a dream?  I knew not.  Only life can tell.

FICTION
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023

Poem

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Fowler Avatar
November 5, 2023 at 7:20 PM
Eerie and fun dear Victor. Perfect for Halloween. hugs :)
Edmonds  Avatar
October 30, 2023 at 1:02 PM
A surprise ending to a scary tale Victor, an intriguing read… Belle
Lane Avatar
October 30, 2023 at 5:06 AM
I’m playing catch up reading you, Victor…. Great start. On to the next
Anaya Avatar
October 27, 2023 at 9:05 AM
Oh my, suspenseful, I wasn't expecting the rocker to crush the spider! Halloween spirited, Victor, I'm in the mood! Xhugsx Anaya
Roper Avatar
October 24, 2023 at 8:50 PM
Halloween is upon us, and this makes a very good story my friend.
Empress Avatar
October 24, 2023 at 8:13 AM
This fits the mood of halloween perfectly! And I absolutely love the flow of this and how creative your wordplay is! “ But life could play tricks even in dire situations. The spider cared not where it was expecting to be,” these two lines really stood out for me! They speak volumes and hits so hard on so many levels! So profound! Very well delivered! Love this!
Rodrigues Avatar
October 23, 2023 at 2:51 PM
A dream, perhaps a nightmare…some sort of open-eyed daydream…at least the wife but the spider heightens the pulse. Great fiction…oh you storyteller!
M  Avatar
October 23, 2023 at 2:44 PM
Victor your love for and how much you miss your wife shines through your poems….even a halloween poem! Ha….You had a beautiful strong love and l understand your sadness! Cuddles galore Victor you deserve them…Debx
Gasun Avatar
October 23, 2023 at 8:15 AM
A spooky one my dear poet friend Vic. I'm glad you're back. Thank you for sharing this very intertaining and creative story Halloween poem. Blessings to you always and your writings. Hugs
Allison Avatar
October 23, 2023 at 3:53 AM
You write such wonderful stories Victor this is great for the Halloween season! hugs jan xx
May Avatar
October 23, 2023 at 3:39 AM
An eerie Halloween tale, Very nicely penned Victor
Severo Avatar
October 23, 2023 at 12:47 AM
I love reading your poetry and I loved this poem.
George Avatar
October 22, 2023 at 7:36 PM
Beautiful one . The whole setting and the way the story unfolds, both are intriguing. Though haunting, it has a semblance of reality. Enjoyed your poem. You are ever a master of story telling !
Rolland Avatar
October 22, 2023 at 5:55 PM
beautifully written , poet, ic ould feel death "lurking" ? around, enjoyed a lot my reading
Dietrich Avatar
October 22, 2023 at 2:05 PM
Spooky one, Victor. You are in Halloween spirit
Rose  Avatar
October 22, 2023 at 1:08 PM
you tell the story so well its hard to say where fiction ends and reality takes over Victor. I so love the crossing of the two don't you ? makes for great poetry my friend :)
DiMino Avatar
October 22, 2023 at 12:10 PM
"Like some gentle ghost into a supreme sweet spot," love that. Haunting tale! Very Poe like. Great write my friend.
Buehler Avatar
October 22, 2023 at 12:02 PM
I loved reading this dark, spooky Halloween story, Victor. It's a very good one, that's delightful and timely. :)
Andresen Avatar
October 22, 2023 at 10:04 AM
- Even the sound of the rocking chair can be heard... you tell with a quality that is palpable, Victor :) - This is definitely your style ... love it :) - hugs
Greenhough Avatar
October 22, 2023 at 9:35 AM
I love your Halloween poem. It was very suspenseful. It was sad to see the unavoidable death of the spider, but I understand that they don't live long anyway. Thank you for this great poem.
Pandit Avatar
October 22, 2023 at 9:09 AM
Superb story telling as always, Victor. You bring forth the scenes with fine details and splendid images. And enjoy reading the turns in your poems that enhance reading pleasure.
Poet Avatar
October 22, 2023 at 7:59 AM
Victor, your wonderful writing style and word choice keep it interesting. As it moves through sparkling stratocumulus where the fading light gives way to fog, the poem generates an eerie ambiance. You didn't care as you mourned since dread and excitement were heightened by hallucination. Your ability is obvious in the last two lines. Have a wonderful weekend.
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