Vicious Haunts of the Dead

Ghastly sights on the day of the dead frighten me, Zombie ghouls from the grave will arise from afar With a howl and a scream sodden ghost running free Come the fear of dying ‘neath the moon and the star. On a cold October autumn night keeping watch, Lest the hand of the witch grab my leg, drag me down From the rags of my shirt, a demon takes a swatch I do fear nasty grins of the mime-painted clown. Vicious haunts of the dead still doth lurk in shadows Like the pall of one corpse from the hole ever near, The poor soul freely hangs from old wooden gallows While I flee like a thief in the night out of fear. From the depth of my grief here on earth, you hear it, The deep sighs of my past are still here in spirit.
Written October 17, 2022 [an English-style Sonnet 14 lines of 12 syllables each] Submitted to "All Hallows' Evening" Poetry Contest Sponsored by Craig Cornish POEM OF THE DAY Poetry Soup October 19, 2022
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022


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Date: 11/17/2022 6:30:00 PM
Wow, You have me thinking of 'Michael Jackson's Thriller' here Milt. An absolute stand alone gem, worthy of POTD. Harry
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 11/17/2022 7:59:00 PM
Thanks so much, harry. I was thrilled that it was selected for P.O.T.D., and, if I may toot my own horn, thought it was the epitome of what the contest was asking for, but, alas, you win some and you lose some. No placement. Oh, well...maybe better luck next time. Thanks, harry.
Date: 10/25/2022 3:11:00 AM
Note to self…. Check POTD more often. Sorry to have missed your ‘big day’ with this Spooooooooky tale, Milt. I’m sure there’s a podium position with your name on it. Belated congrats on your POTD. Terry
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 10/25/2022 7:51:00 AM
Aw, no problem, Terry. Thanks so much.
Date: 10/21/2022 2:13:00 AM
Congratulations on POTD Hank! Well deserved! Lovely!
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 10/21/2022 8:44:00 AM
Thanks so much, Caren.
Date: 10/20/2022 4:02:00 PM
Sorry I missed this...so well written, Milt. Belated Congrats on POTD as well. Way to go...
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 10/21/2022 8:45:00 AM
Thanks, Charlie. No problem!
Date: 10/20/2022 3:17:00 PM
Milt, a creepy write, well done and congratulations on receiving the POEM OF THE DAY honor, blessings
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 10/21/2022 8:45:00 AM
Thank you, Constance.
Date: 10/19/2022 6:20:00 PM
A scary sight indeed, those "nasty grins of the mime-painted clown." Halloween is just around the corner, and your thoughts certainly bring a chill. This is creepy and creative. Congratulations Milton, on Poem of the Day. My best to you. ~ Brandy
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 10/19/2022 7:38:00 PM
Thank you so much, Brandy. It is good to hear from you.
Date: 10/19/2022 4:22:00 PM
Milton back to Congratulate you on this scary Poetic marvel for Craig's contest on Halloween. Your entry has won already, and it definitely deserves POTD. Your creative thought in writing this entry reflects your Poetry talent my friend. Again Congratulations...
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 10/19/2022 7:39:00 PM
Aw, thanks, Michael. All of this is super nice for you to say.
Date: 10/19/2022 3:39:00 PM
Congratulations on POTD Milt! How cinematic, it makes me feel like I'm a kid again watching spooky movies all night Jeepers Creepers. Robert
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 10/19/2022 4:07:00 PM
Thanks so much, Robert. Gee, I don't know. Is there something I should know that I've missed???
Date: 10/19/2022 3:34:00 PM
That "scream sodden ghost" sent shivers down my spine! I don't know what happened to October either. I spent all last week dating things Nov which included a couple of checks! Hello, world, are you still there? Elizabeth
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 10/19/2022 4:09:00 PM
I think he was referring to a big bad mistake I made in the poem. Originally, it was "November winter night" which didn't work with Hallowed Eve, so I edited it to "October autumn." I hope I wasn't too late!
Date: 10/19/2022 1:56:00 PM
A ghastly and ghostly Halloween scene, Congrats on POTD Milton
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 10/19/2022 2:14:00 PM
Thank you so much, Joseph. I appreciate it.
Date: 10/19/2022 12:08:00 PM
Another great poem of yours, flawlessly written and perfect form, I'm sure! Congratulations on your POTD L Milt!
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 10/19/2022 12:54:00 PM
Thank you so much, Anaya. I appreciate your thoughts.
Date: 10/19/2022 11:35:00 AM
Hello Milton, a great poem for Halloween. Congrads on POTD. Enjoy your day my friend.
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Darlene De Beaulieu
Date: 10/20/2022 11:19:00 AM
Hello Milton, you are welcome. Enjoy your day my friend.
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 10/19/2022 11:59:00 AM
Thanks so much for your thoughts, Darlene.
Date: 10/19/2022 11:03:00 AM
Pretty spooky, L M. One question, though...how does November fit in here? Congrats on POTD and BOL in the contest.
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Jim Slaughter
Date: 10/19/2022 1:44:00 PM
So...poets are human, too...Glad I could help, L M.
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 10/19/2022 12:03:00 PM
Thanks, Jim. My bad! An oversight I totally missed. I have edited the poem to be "October autumn" instead of "November winter." I hope I am not too late with the edit. I really appreciate your pointing this out. Apparently you are the only one to notice it thus far.
Date: 10/19/2022 7:25:00 AM
YIKES!!!!....RUN MILTON.....RUN... That final couplet sums it all up....the wreckage of our pasts......forever haunting us.....
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 10/19/2022 8:12:00 AM
Thanks, John. I hope it does well in the contest.
Date: 10/19/2022 7:08:00 AM
oooh...chilling Milt. Written with fear and suspense. Perfect - congratulations on the honor of POTD!
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 10/19/2022 8:13:00 AM
Thank you, Linda.
Date: 10/19/2022 6:45:00 AM
Congrats ,Milton! A sure winner for the contest! Bob H
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 10/19/2022 8:12:00 AM
Thank you so much, Robert.
Date: 10/19/2022 6:11:00 AM
BIG congrats, Milton, on POTD. Vicious haunts of the dead drive the effect you intended in this poem, aptly crafted for the season. Enjoy your day.
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 10/19/2022 8:13:00 AM
Thank you so much, Vijay.
Date: 10/19/2022 6:10:00 AM
Congrats on the POTD, Milt. I'm enjoying this anapestic tetrameter - kinda fun to incorporate - easy to read out loud and find the rough spots. Maybe I'll get one in soon.
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 10/19/2022 8:14:00 AM
Thank you, Jeff. I know you can do one well.
Date: 10/19/2022 5:48:00 AM
Great montage for a horror film! Congrats on POTD, Milt
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 10/19/2022 8:14:00 AM
Thanks, Unseeking Seeker. I appreciate it.
Date: 10/19/2022 5:38:00 AM
Great title and well written scary sonnet, my friend. Congratulations on your POTD, Milt. Those are some scary fears. Bill Enjoy your special day!
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 10/19/2022 8:14:00 AM
Thanks so much, Bill.
Date: 10/19/2022 5:29:00 AM
Those things that go bump in the night scare me, too! Congratulations on your lines being recognized as POTD, Milt.
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 10/19/2022 8:15:00 AM
Thank you so much, Jenna. Your congrats mean a lot to me.
Date: 10/19/2022 4:39:00 AM
Milt, chills galore taunt me as each line unfolds here! What a terrific Halloween Sonnet!! The last two lines are especially awesome!!! Congratulations on its selection as POTD!!! Enjoy your day!!!
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 10/19/2022 8:15:00 AM
Thanks so much, Mike. I hope you are having a terrific week.
Date: 10/19/2022 3:06:00 AM
Milt, congratulations on POTD with your spooky poem!
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 10/19/2022 8:15:00 AM
Thank you, Tania.
Date: 10/19/2022 2:32:00 AM
A spooktacular POTD, but it rolls so well over the spirits of the dead with dread, a great one for Halloween, with I think a little non fairytale ending, congratulations Milton on your deserved accolade today, cheers David
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 10/19/2022 8:16:00 AM
Thank you, David. Cheers to you, too.
Date: 10/19/2022 2:24:00 AM
Indeed, haunting, firghtening, ghost-filled, grave-filled grim scenes - beautifully penned. Congratulations!
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 10/19/2022 8:16:00 AM
Thanks, Chris. Good to hear from you.
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