Notes About The Poem

Romantic Getaway With a Freaking-Out Spouse

She really wanted to see a ghost…ecstatically excited.
She heard this place had plenty, and a spooky atmosphere.
She’d have to pinch herself, ready to cheer…elated.
She’d spend a romantic weekend there with a freaking-out spouse.

He’s a scaredy-cat! He rarely finds anything funny!
He stutters. He’s bony. Of course she fibbed to him.

A mansion on the cliffs, buried behind briars and thorns.
You could hear the roar of the tide, far below, over the rocks.
Bitter thunder and lightning— oh Angela’s freaking stunned.
Couldn’t ask for a nicer day - husband’s a shivering bag of bones.

The thick, heavy door, with unrelenting ‘turn on back,’ opens
nonetheless. Angela prods and pulls her Jack, into the lair,
as the door closes and bolts. He’s crying like a baby, inside.

The romantic getaway’s bleek and dark, except for candelabra
here and there, in this statistically bad idea. Angela just knows
she’ll get a look-see at the afterlife - a welcoming sight.

Jack be nimble…Jack be quick…Jack wants to jump
over the candlestick and hit the bricks. Without a boo,
she tries to resurrect a ghost or two. “C’mon out! I’m
raring to see you. Don’t play hide’n seek. Show yourself.”
She’s so giddy with no care about her scared to death spouse.

Angela laughs as wisps of smoke take form, as snowy cotton
shifts, as the familiar “oohs” and “boos” uplift. Terrified Jack’s
in no laughing mood. He hides himself in the corners of the room.

Suddenly it gets very cold, and a very bold ghost has a hold
on a candelabra, shines over the face of Jack, “Don’t you worry,
son, this will make you crack a smile,” surprisingly reassuring.

The ghost grins, as he spins touché over to Angela, “Is this
all you were hoping for?” He bellows with his mighty flue,
turns gray-green, skeletal too, eyes out of sockets. Flames
of the candelabra catch her curls and girly-mustache too.

From the corner, a full-throttle laughter emerges from Jack
as Angela is laid out on her back. The specter adds a pillow
and a gravestone to the act. The ghost ribs Jack,

“I rather like your bones, son. Let’s see you rattle and roll.”

Welcomed out the door, Jack leaves without a wife.

10/13/2021
Chantelle Cooke’s Ghost Lace Contest
Copyright © | Year Posted 2021

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Legros Kelley Avatar
November 2, 2021 at 3:21 AM
Angela wanted to see ghosts, and now she can see one every time she looks in the mirror because it seems she most likely became one of them herself! Quite the 'romantic' get away. No bones about it, she did have spirit! Poor Jack. Well, at least he got away from the get-a-way! This was truly spooky! I hope I don't have nightmares!
Rodrigues Avatar
November 6, 2021 at 8:21 PM
Thank you for your comment! Glad you enjoyed this spooky write! :)
Krutsinger Avatar
October 18, 2021 at 11:02 AM
This is hilarious! It is funny that you chose the name Angela, - both Andrea and I named our daughters Angela; did you realize it? Ha! Well done!
Rodrigues Avatar
October 18, 2021 at 1:06 PM
Nope…or perhaps it was personalized ;)
Gauthier Avatar
October 15, 2021 at 6:24 AM
Fun storytelling in fine presentation ~ not my idea of a 'romantic getaway' either. I'm with Jack on that one ~ lol
Rodrigues Avatar
October 18, 2021 at 1:06 PM
Glad you liked it, sweet Line!
Buhagiar Avatar
October 14, 2021 at 12:59 AM
Don't ask me for a tour. Ghosts are not my cup of tea. Well done for a scary poem. Hugs.
Rodrigues Avatar
October 14, 2021 at 5:34 AM
Thank you, Victor! I don’t go looking for trouble. You think different about ghosts when you lose people close to you. The only ghost I cling to is the Holy Ghost! God bless!
Ball Avatar
October 13, 2021 at 2:49 PM
Whoa! Nellie! Angela got everything she bargained for and more. And Jack got scot free. A fitting ending. Good stuff here Kim. Loved it. God Bless, JB
Rodrigues Avatar
October 13, 2021 at 3:13 PM
Thank you, Judy! So glad you liked it! God bless you too!
Poet Avatar
October 13, 2021 at 11:24 AM
That was hilarious and a little terrifying, but in a good way. The scenery is vivid, ignoring the fact that the old Jack rushes out the door alone. As a result, his shadow wife is in rough shape. Well done Kim. I wish you luck in the contest.
Rodrigues Avatar
October 13, 2021 at 12:36 PM
Thank you, Lasaad! So glad you liked it!
Green Avatar
October 13, 2021 at 11:15 AM
That was fun and kind of creepy but in a very cool way. It has a lightness to it even though old Jack bolts out the door alone. leaving his ghost-seeking spouse in a dire predicament. Very cool Kim. Best wishes in the contest
Rodrigues Avatar
October 13, 2021 at 12:37 PM
Thank you, Chris! I think their was trouble in their paradise.
De Beaulieu Avatar
October 13, 2021 at 10:52 AM
Hello Kim, wow! he leaves the place without his wife! Oh poor Jack. Hugs.
De Beaulieu Avatar
October 14, 2021 at 10:24 AM
Hello Kim, I had the same thought. Hugs.
Rodrigues Avatar
October 13, 2021 at 12:38 PM
For sure! Don’t think the dear girl made it! ;)
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace