A cascade poem for the dverse Halloween monster prompt.
A candle shines out bold into the dark,
The sign that beckons, leading dear ones home,
For some were never dear that still are dead,
Not all the dead who walk this night find rest.
I shuffle down the lonely lane this night,
The night the veil drops between life and death,
I search for warmth to chase the dark earth’s chill,
A candle shines out bold into the dark.
I feel them flutter past to sit once more,
Among their loved ones, drawn like moths to flame,
I follow, shambling in their phantom steps,
The sign that beckons, leading dear ones home.
I howl with pain that no one thinks of me,
With anger that all doors are bolted, barred,
Against the likes of me, shunned from the feast,
For some were never dear that still are dead.
I paw the door and beat the window pane,
Cajole and whine, the dogs bark, none will come,
Take care to leave no casement wide for me,
Not all the dead that walk this night want rest.
Lovely Jane.
Thanks Di 🙂
A cascade poem seems appropriate for this theme, and you always do them well. I got shivers at the end. 🙂
🙂 There must always be at least one deceased we never want to meet again!
Well, definitely some from history I would not want to meet. 🙂
Never mind historical characters, I wouldn’t want my father-in-law’s father to come knocking 🙂
Hahaha.
What a great poem of the poor undead who cannot find rest…. but I feel I should stil close my windows and the doors. Their voices sounds so unsettling
Thank you 🙂 It’s always a good idea to look carefully before you open the door after dark.
Your lost spirit should team up with that of Erbiage
https://erbiage.wordpress.com/2017/10/31/in-the-hollow-tween-the-worlds/
That’s one who doesn’t seem to care if he’s wanted or not- seems to be on a mission to see his parents. Search in peace!😱
I read it. It seems uncomfortably personal to me. I hope Erbiage is getting through this season better than it sounds 😦
Hope so….I think I know what you mean😕
🙂
Midst the Snickers and candy corn, above the costumed by Walmart tykes, yes, there be the forlorn, the desperate, the forgotten–who only have one night to be active each year.
I fear you’re right, Glenn. Not everyone went peacefully, and some must bear an almighty grudge!
I paw the door and beat the window pane,
Cajole and whine, the dogs bark, none will come,
Take care to leave no casement wide for me,
Not all the dead that walk this night want rest.
Wow!
Where do all the evil fuckers go when they die? Probably not very far…
🙂
Nice divergence in the last line of the first and last stanza about finding rest and wanting rest.
I’m glad you noticed that, Frank, it was intentional. You read very closely!
Brilliant clever write.
i do so hope if I roam the night, someone will let me in. I do so hope others regard me as dear!
Anna :o]
I’m sure they will, Anna 🙂 Even monsters can usually count on being welcomed by someone. It’s the very few who can’t find anyone who still has a kind thought for them that you have to watch out for
Just wow. This one really builds. And what a haunted and haunting atmosphere.
Thanks Claudia. It’s a powerful time of year.
Brilliant Jane, chilling, sad in perfect degrees!
I’m glad you found it sad too. It’s hard to imagine what goes on in the head of a true monster, but I bet there’s a lot of sadness with all the awful stuff.
Yes it makes me so sad to think of lost souls in torment! 💜😁
Sad more than fearful. Me too.
Yes indeed 💜
humongously a fascinating poem on death and loss…..
Thank you, Agnes 🙂
Beware of those carrying grudges, and looking to get even! Love this, Jane.
Thank you!
“I paw the door and beat the window pane,” This one line is enough to give that chill. Yet a closed world is sad for the one who is denied entry.
It is. It’s at this point that all religions with ideas about everlasting wonderfulness or everlasting horror begin to look a bit shaky. Forever is a long time to condemn anyone, even a monster.
Very classy, Jane. Eerie. Is that spelled correctly? It doesn’t look like it is. Anyhow, great poem, beautifully structured, menacing voice. You make forms flow so well.
Thanks Sarah 🙂 I like poems with a rhythm.
Sarah you sound like me with the spelling. That made me laugh: )
Sarah you sound like me with the spelling. That made me laugh: )
I feel the sadness starting in the 4th stanza. A good write. And fitting for Halloween.
Thank you. I find the Halloween jollifications completely off kilter. It’s a dark, mysterious time of year.
What I find totally weird are the ADULTS who are all in. I thought this was a little kid holliday! I leave it all alone too.
And then we wonder about dumbing down in books, films, TV!
Yeap, something to consider…
🙂