Lantern of the Shadowed Glade :POTD:

Lantern of the Shadowed Glade In shadowed glades where spirits dwell, Beneath the boughs of an ancient spell. A pumpkin awaits, its fate foretold, By tomes of old and tales untold. Carved with care by children’s hands, A toothy grin upon its face expands. Yet, within those haunting, hollowed eyes, Lies a deeper truth in dark disguise. On Halloween, beneath pewter beams, Wailing winds weave ominous screams, The Jack-o’-lantern’s gaze ignites, On ghoulish forms lurking in the night. He sees the village, veiled in fear, In costumes worn, yet souls austere, For lurking ’neath the festive guise, A darkness deep, where evil lies. Children laugh with voices bright, While shadows waltz in ghostly light, Sinister secrets, whispers heard, Carried on the wings of a devil bird. But deeper still, the pumpkin knows, The ancient lore, the forest’s throes, For spirits rise on this cursed night, To dance beneath the pale moonlight. In solemn vigil, silent, and grim, The gourd watches, a veil so thin, ‘Twixt shadowed realms of dark and light, A sentinel of the Styx, in eternal night. When dawn breaks o’er the ghastly glade, The pumpkin’s light begins to fade, In its heart, an ember of infernal lore, A demonic lantern, cursed forevermore.