John Lawless Poet Free verse

Dark Night - City Streets - For Contest

Dark Night – City Streets


A dark night on city streets
soft yellow glare of streetlights
outlining slow creepy things.

Scents of cooling kitchens
and boiling excitement
tickled the deepening thrill.

A rising tremor of frightful glee
slinking through the streets
mocking the shadows lies.

City streets crawling with anticipation
window shades peeked through
doors held ajar in preparation,

For they would come – as  always
on this, their night, utter again 
the monsters mantra – Trick or Treat.

Flow in wicked waves of want
seek the lowly sustenance
of the sticky sweet tribute.

Short, weary legs of demons
tire easily - and slowly
retreat to comfort of warm lairs.

Window shades are straightened
doors closed and locked
streetlight shadows calmed

As monsters – cleaned and preened,
hugged and nuzzled in their nests
sleep, and dream, of Halloween.



10/24/2015

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Sandra Haight November 1, 2015 at 5:23 PM You sure captured the mood of anticipations and "...rising tremor of frightful glee..." on city streets on Halloween night, John. Nice imagery! Congratulations on your fine win. Sandra

Skat A November 1, 2015 at 10:55 AM John, Congratulations on your Halloween win in Kelly's contest. SKAT

Susan Gentry October 30, 2015 at 11:45 PM Great poem! Congratulations! John Lawless October 31, 2015 at 8:30 AM Thanks Susan for stopping to read and comment.

Joyce Johnson October 30, 2015 at 4:14 PM great poem and congratulations on your win. John Lawless October 31, 2015 at 8:30 AM Thanks for stopping by Joyce.

Kelly Deschler October 30, 2015 at 1:13 PM A wonderful poem that sets just the right mood for Halloween!... I enjoyed your poem very much, John. Congrats on a great win! John Lawless October 31, 2015 at 8:29 AM Thanks Kelly, I just shut my eyes and slid back into the past.

Andrea Dietrich October 27, 2015 at 3:57 PM Oh, it for a halloween contest!! Great writing, John. The ending is so sweet!! John Lawless October 31, 2015 at 8:29 AM Thanks Andrea as always

Monterey Sirak October 27, 2015 at 7:20 AM This is great...eerie yet fun. You recreated the excitement and trepidation. John Lawless October 31, 2015 at 8:28 AM ..excitement and trepidation...yes.....candy....no.....Appreciate your stopping by Monterey

Paul Callus October 26, 2015 at 5:37 PM Hi John, you managed to create a Halloween atmosphere with ease. Such 'frightful' fun for the young ones! ~ Regards // paul John Lawless October 31, 2015 at 8:28 AM Thanks Paul, the neighborhood I grew up in had hundreds of children running about the streets on Halloween...

Robert Lindley October 24, 2015 at 11:00 AM DEMONS OR KIDS? LOL Fine poem my friend , good luck in that contest.A7 John Lawless October 31, 2015 at 8:27 AM Or.....demons are kids....thanks for the high mark Robert.

Jan Allison October 24, 2015 at 10:13 AM oh John I adore the imagery - the demons with short tired legs made me smile -you have a fabulous way of weaving your observations into the poem so cleverly:-) loved this - 7 :-) hugs Jan xx Jan Allison October 24, 2015 at 10:22 AM You did a fabulous job John:-) hugs Jan xx John Lawless October 24, 2015 at 10:21 AM Hey Jan, in 1953 I was one of those "city demons". Glad you liked it as I had some fun writing it trying to recapture the sights, sounds, and scents of a city street.