On Halloween Night

I hear the October winds whispering and I think it knows,
as the witching hour arrives and a harvest moon glows,
only once a year, do we celebrate death on Halloween night,
it is a time for remembrance, and not a time for fright.

As dead leaves come to life, once more, somehow they know,
on the twisted claw-like branches, I see the excitement grow,
black bats take their flight and wise owls call out to you,
it seems strange, but I imagine that they all know, too.

I ask you now, my dearly departed ancestors, to arise,
come and dance with me, there is no need for disguise,
on this one dark, Halloween night, it is the only time,
when we can feel truly alive and so morbidly sublime.

Let me wipe away the ancient moss from your tombstone,
come forth with dust and decay, your shroud and bone,
feel the warm glow from this carved out jack o' lantern,
and watch his lit, grinning soul, may it flicker and burn.

You must still remember the candy corn's sweet flavor,
and those crisp apples, with juicy bite after bite to savor,
it is only on this night when we can taste this rare treat,
and it is only on this Halloween night when we can meet.

Tonight will not be your usual haunting among the graves,
or beneath the dead willow tree, weeping, shackled like slaves,
you are free to wander, to celebrate, and honor our past,
until the morning sun rises, on this Eve that will not last.

So come with me now and our spirits will live once more,
as we roam down our old streets, and visit door to door,
let us go, and lead them all in our mysterious nighttime parade,
where we can finally be ourselves, no need for a masquerade.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2014



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Date: 10/13/2015 2:54:00 PM
Kelly, Congratulations on your own favorite Halloween Poem. Take Care **SKAT**
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Kelly Deschler
Date: 10/17/2015 7:12:00 PM
Thank you for your kind congrats. I appreciate it, Skat :)
Date: 10/13/2015 12:35:00 AM
Congrats on ur awesome winning write Kelly!
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Kelly Deschler
Date: 10/16/2015 10:34:00 PM
Thank you for reading and commenting so kindly, Dr. Upma!
Date: 10/9/2015 4:54:00 PM
Thank You for entering my contest with your Halloween poem. Perfect!
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Kelly Deschler
Date: 10/14/2015 4:19:00 PM
You're welcome, Carol. Thank you for your nice comments and the placement :)
Date: 2/4/2015 10:03:00 PM
Haunting, beautiful poem. Great images. Thanks; I'll save it as a favorite. You might like my Halloween poems, too. Carol
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Kelly Deschler
Date: 2/6/2015 10:31:00 PM
Thank you for making this poem a favorite. I really appreciate your nice comments, Carol... Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. I will be sure to read your Halloween poems!
Date: 11/4/2014 1:40:00 AM
Hello Kelly! Amazing, Souper poem! I loooooved the rhyme and flow! Sneha
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Kelly Deschler
Date: 11/8/2014 12:38:00 AM
Hello Sneha! Thank you so much for your kind comments. I'm glad that you've enjoyed my poem!
Date: 10/16/2014 10:42:00 AM
Kelly, I enjoyed your write here "On Halloween Night" immensely!! Your verse is quite artfully and elegantly composed and the tempo is perfect. You capture a positive view of the spirit world with a flavor I've not seen before in many of the dark theme writes (to include mine). The Spirits are out on this most hallowed Eve to wonder free again and to connect with a world they were formerly part of. The linkage with the Jack O'lantern is, for me, quite perceptible. A Most Excellent Work!! Gary
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Kelly Deschler
Date: 10/21/2014 5:53:00 PM
I am so glad that you've enjoyed this poem, Gary. Thank you very much for your kind words!.... I think a lot of people do get the wrong idea about Halloween, and they misunderstand the true meaning of the celebration. It is meant to welcome back the dead, not to be afraid of them, and try to chase them away.
Date: 9/17/2014 6:24:00 PM
your out early for halloween nicely penned piece kelly beautifully crafted in your style
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Kelly Deschler
Date: 9/22/2014 1:57:00 AM
Thank you for your great comments, Liam. I appreciate them so much.... Yes, it is a bit early for Halloween. This poem was written for a Halloween themed contest that was already posted. I just couldn't resist! :)
Date: 9/16/2014 10:57:00 AM
An amazing dance macabre, Kelly, old rooster crowing at dawn and all. Love this one, daver
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Kelly Deschler
Date: 9/21/2014 12:38:00 AM
Thank you so much, Daver. I'm glad you liked this one! :)
Date: 9/8/2014 8:31:00 AM
Most people do not really know the meaning behind this celebration, but you with your masterful poem have enlightened. Wonderful poem, Kelly. bfn Lainie
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Kelly Deschler
Date: 9/14/2014 1:59:00 PM
I think many people do get the wrong impression about Halloween. Yes, it is a holiday to celebrate the mystery of death, but not in a bad way. Some people just take the horror themes too far and it puts a stain on Halloween that is hard to erase.... Thank you for your wonderful comments, Lainie. I appreciate them so much! :)
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Keith Merritt
Date: 9/11/2014 3:29:00 PM
A good point...yet I think meaning is relative. Historically, we might consider Halloween to be Christian, but it has Pagan roots.
Date: 9/7/2014 6:43:00 PM
Great job, Kelly. I hope you do well in the contest.
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Kelly Deschler
Date: 9/12/2014 1:02:00 AM
Thank you once again for the nice comments, Maurice!
Date: 9/6/2014 10:50:00 PM
In the darkness we can be whoever or whatever we wish to be. Isn't it more fun "to be" together ? You have perfectly captured the true spirit of the occasion, Kelly ! :)
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Kelly Deschler
Date: 9/11/2014 2:54:00 PM
Yes, it is much more fun "to be" and to celebrate Halloween with family and friends. It is probably my favorite day of the year!.... Thank you for the great comments, Keith. I appreciate it so much! :)
Date: 9/5/2014 11:00:00 PM
I am a Halloween fan so this is amongst my favorites
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Kelly Deschler
Date: 9/9/2014 6:29:00 PM
I love Halloween, too. It is probably my favorite day of the year! Thank you for the nice comments, Kara. I appreciate it very much! :)
Date: 9/5/2014 2:01:00 PM
Well done with this Halloween entry, Kelly. You do your best to create an eerie atmosphere, but at the same reassure us that there is no need to be afraid. gl in the contest. hugs // paul
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Kelly Deschler
Date: 9/9/2014 5:51:00 PM
I do love the mysterious and eerie side of Halloween, but there is also an innocent and playful side too, which is all about having fun.... Thank you for your kind comments, as always. I appreciate it very much, Paul!
Date: 9/5/2014 1:37:00 PM
Dear Kelly, How I wish we could do as you describe so eloquently. I'd give anything for a night of trick-or-treat with loved ones/ancestors who have passed. You uplifting poem reminded me of "The Curious Dream," a short story by Mark Twain. It's a fun read at http://www.readbookonline.net/readOnLine/1532/ This is surely the most inspiring poem I've seen for the contest and it's likely to appeal to Gail's wonderful spiritual qualities. Wishing you success! Love, Carolyn
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Kelly Deschler
Date: 9/9/2014 2:23:00 AM
I would give anything to celebrate with my ancestors, too. I really miss being a kid and having the chance to go trick-or-treating on Halloween night!.... I'm not familiar with the Mark Twain short story that you mentioned, but I will definitely give it a read!.... Thank you for the wonderful and encouraging comments, Carolyn. I appreciate it so much!
Date: 9/5/2014 12:54:00 PM
Great imagery Kelly andIi like the fact you have included the apples and candy corn and not just focussed on the scary side of Halloween. Good luck in the contest:-) Hugs Jan xx
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Kelly Deschler
Date: 9/9/2014 2:07:00 AM
Thank you for the nice comments, Jan. Halloween can be both fun and scary. I decided to go more lighthearted with this poem. I think Gail might be looking for something a little scarier for her contest, so I don't know how this will place..... Hugs :)
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