The Hanged Man's Ghost

Listen my children and ye shall hear,
A tale to make ye quake with fear.

'Tis a scarey tale I tell ye no lie,
Of a man who was told he had to die,

For a crime he committed in the dead of night,
And on each Hallow's Eve he returns to the site,

Where his body was hung on an old oak tree.
Steer clear of the place or he'll come after thee.

He searches for them who hung him there,
'Thout proof save the voice of the golden hair.

'Twas she who belied his where-abouts,
So he searches for her within and without;

So if ye be fair with hair of gold,
He'll carry ye off where it's dark and cold.

Keep ye by the hearth on All Hallow's Eve,
Now I've said my piece and be taken' my leave.

                                                          Judy Ball
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

Poem

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Dietrich Avatar
December 20, 2011 at 6:57 PM
this is really cool, Judy. One I missed. maybe it was for Halloween!! (yes, I sure do hope this is a NEW year)
Ball Avatar
December 22, 2011 at 3:59 AM
HAHAA bit out of season but thanks anyhoo. Glad you liked this Halloween offering. God Bless and Merry Christmas my friend. JB
Anish Avatar
November 17, 2011 at 6:14 PM
So - one should stay close to the hearth on All Hallow's Eve. Words of wisdom Ms. Ball. Peace & Love Matthew Anish
Brown Avatar
October 28, 2011 at 8:14 AM
Thank you for your always kind comments on my writing Judy. It is a pleasure to read your poetry this fine day. Hoping you have an amazing weekend. Love, Carol
Ball Avatar
October 29, 2011 at 3:10 PM
Thanks so much Carol. This was a fun write. Glad you liked it. God Bless, JB
Wesley Avatar
October 6, 2011 at 4:01 PM
Say Judy, you capture the mystery so well and give a good dose of the terrible to perk us up. Hope it's for a contest - so worthy of a win my friend!
Ball Avatar
October 6, 2011 at 4:03 PM
Thanks so much Liz. No contest but glad you enjoyed it. God Bless, JB
Austin Avatar
October 4, 2011 at 4:14 PM
What hair I have left - a few threads - is gray, but I will steer clear of the old oak tree. Very wonderfully spooky, Judy. Love, daver
Austin Avatar
October 4, 2011 at 4:16 PM
I didn't finish the rhyme - What hair I have left is gray, but I''ll steer clear of the oak tree anyway. There! Aint dat vundervull
Devonshire Avatar
October 4, 2011 at 2:16 PM
Oooh, frightening indeed, Judy. I was captivated by the story behind this poem. And being a blonde, I hope I can avoid "The Hanged Man's Ghost." Love, Carolyn
Horne Avatar
October 3, 2011 at 4:46 PM
Wow, I love this scary piece, Judy. Thanks for your comments on my clock poem. LOL, well, I'm not quite that ancient yet - I'm 42 : )
Ball Avatar
October 3, 2011 at 4:50 PM
Well, I#m 64 as of the 14th and I still feel pretty young though that old woman in my mirror scares me sometimes. God Bless my friend. JB
Ball Avatar
October 3, 2011 at 4:49 PM
Thanks so much Jack Glad you enjoyed it. It ws a fun write. God Bless, JB
Lane Avatar
October 3, 2011 at 3:54 PM
OOO scary boys and girls. (Count Floyd)
Ball Avatar
October 3, 2011 at 4:53 PM
Thanks so much Tony. It was a fun write. God Bless, JB
Cooke Avatar
October 3, 2011 at 3:30 PM
love a good story , which this is, something to read to the grandchildren me thinks. excellent write
Ball Avatar
October 3, 2011 at 4:56 PM
Thanks so much Steven. I had fun with it. God Bless, JB
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