On Halloween Night

Lila had no Mom now to make her Halloween costume Just her Communion dress, adorned by angel wings she’d made A halo of gold chrysanthemums she laid at Mom’s tomb But dusk was falling as in the cemetery she prayed Against the amber harvest moon, Spanish moss was swaying Eerily it danced, taunting ghosts in the cool autumn air Beyond old tombstones came chilling howls of werewolves preying A strange sound like a door creaking open gave her a scare Footsteps seemed to follow her as she scampered to the street Where a band of rowdy teenage ghouls murmured words so harsh Her flashlight dimmed; only tricks came this Halloween, no treats While vampires emerged from the mist over a nearby marsh Cackles she heard; was that a wicked witch flying overhead? Her feet tangled in thorny vines, she struggled to break free Trying to escape the foul scent of something that smelled dead Lila fell, tripping on the gnarly roots of an oak tree Trembling and crying, Lila sprinted, overwhelmed with fright Bushes and trees rustled in the breeze as she darted home To the most horrific creature she’d encountered that night The beer-swilling father who let her trick-or-treat alone
*Written August 29, 2014

Copyright © | Year Posted 2014



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Date: 10/16/2014 12:50:00 PM
Such a sad and haunting tale.
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Date: 9/5/2014 1:13:00 PM
Sometimes, the truth can be much more frightening than fantasy.... I enjoyed your take on the contest theme, and I am sure that Gail will enjoy it, too. Great work, Carolyn! Good luck in the contest!
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Date: 9/1/2014 9:29:00 AM
Excellent write, Carolyn! The contrasting, opposing link between the first and final stanzas is just superb! gl in the contest. // paul
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Date: 8/30/2014 9:19:00 PM
Once a child of an abusive parent, now grown with only hidden memories, I can relate to the confusion of the little girl in your poem on a level never to be understood by most, it is a betrayal on the most basic of human need...well done my friend
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Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 8/31/2014 10:34:00 AM
Frederic, Jameis Winston played poorly last night, but FSU eked out a win. It seems he's lost his mojo. You were right!
Date: 8/30/2014 4:07:00 PM
firstly, brilliant write. secondly did you purposely shape your poem to look like an owl? finally good luck with the contest but i would be surprised if this was not a winner.
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Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 8/31/2014 10:35:00 AM
No, I didn't try to shape it like an owl. I'm not artistically gifted, Maurice. Thanks for reading.
Date: 8/30/2014 3:48:00 PM
I like that you surprised me at the end. This is great story telling.
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Date: 8/30/2014 6:16:00 AM
so sad and so painful Carolyn with a beauty of its own Hugs
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Date: 8/29/2014 8:47:00 PM
Excellent write Carolyn... GL in the contest. Verlena
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Date: 8/29/2014 7:07:00 PM
To lose a parent is sorrowful,but to have an irresponsible parent is painful. A heart wrenching poem Carolyn.Such parents truly exist,yes dear..So deep this is-Charma
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Date: 8/29/2014 3:16:00 PM
Sad ending..Halloween is coming soon so there will be ghost and goblin tales in poetic form for a month or more on soup..Thanks for the visits..Sara
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Date: 8/29/2014 2:52:00 PM
This is a horrific. That ending...you really had us going with you to that climactic ending. So true. Negligent parents are the most horrific creatures ever. Good luck on the contest. Hugs
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Date: 8/29/2014 2:19:00 PM
Incredible description with such a sad sad tale Carolyn. I hope this does really well in the contest:-) hugs Jan xx
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