Halloween Poetry Competition 2008 Winners!

The Spirit of Halloween

I am the thing
That tangles puppet strings
The chill that runs down your spine

I’m the noise that
Simply can’t be placed
The voice inside
Your mind

I’m the moan and groan
Of creaky stairs
A jack-o-lantern’s
Smile

The forgotten name
On an empty grave
Bones stacked in a
Pile

I’m a feeling
A fear
A skull’s
Hollow Sneer
The eyes that watch
When no one is near

Beware, Beware
My joy is to scare
I’m the spirit of Halloween

Written by [Captain Rachel Black]

Gravedigger's Son

The sun would set on a lonely hill
On a lot outside of town
Where trees were few, only grass there grew
And from birds there came no sound.
Not a soul would stay by the lonely graves
Save mourners here and there
But the Gravedigger's Son, alone as one
Who would cherish the sight and stare.
Then came a day when a new-dug grave
Would take a young man to hold
His death was sad, a new wife he had
For so the stories told.
Though before were none save the Gravedigger's Son
Now the New Widow came to stare
While no life she sought, white lilies she brought
That his grave might not be bare.
Every day she came, every day the same
White lilies on the tomb
She was deaf and dumb to the Gravedigger's Son
Who had loved her all too soon.
From his lonely perch, he then emerged
Like a phantom among the dead
He desired her such, was compelled to touch
The dark locks on her head
As she turned afright, he knew that night
He must have her then and there
But she turned to flee, and glanced back at he
Left alone only to stare
The world turned 'round, and he heard no sound
As her image pierced his mind
Bellows to his fire, one of desire
His thoughts then turned malign
By wiles and ways he had found her place
By the hollows of midnight
He observed her there, and her raven hair
Shown radiant in the light.
Many a night he came to sight
The new widow without a thought
That there were eyes outside, past the window light
How greedily she was sought.
If not in life he could have as wife
Then a corpse bride he would make
So he crept inside, and cherished her cries
And the life he was to take
On swipe of his spade, now makeshift blade
And the her blood began to pour
Crimson red on brown, 'round her like a crown
Spewed out upon the floor

And all was done, for the Gravedigger's Son
But to dig the New Widow's grave

Written by [Madame Black]

On This Night

One day a year. As the tenth month dies,
and the winter is well on its way.
A cold wind blows, rustling leaves across the sky.
Causing scarecrows to dance and to sway.

This is my night, one I wish for the most.
After waiting long days and dull weeks.
With the moon rising high on this cold New England coast.
Casting shadows to frighten the meek.

My kitchen is ready, filled with delicious foul things,
that would turn the stomachs of man.
But one thing is missing that this evening will bring.
A final piece to complete my devious plan.

They come to my door dressed in costumes quite grand,
making mock of the heritage I hold dear.
Carrying bags full of sweets clutched in fat little hands.
Laughing joyfully as they draw near.

"She is rumored a witch!"They whisper and call
as they step up to my welcoming door.
But I bat not an eye and my smile doesn't fall,
betraying nothing that I have in store.

Catching is simple. One just lures them in,
with a well placed spell here and there.
I take but a few. Then the real fun begins
as I kill, cook, and leave nothing to spare.

Though the night is long the dawn soon draws nigh,
and the work is finally through.
My pantry is full and the magic is high,
as the day of all saints starts anew.

The children will be mourned, but they'll soon forget.
Of that I make carefully sure.
Still the stories will be told, the legend won't quit,
and the fear will still taint the pure.

Written By: [Crankychangeling]

Pumpkin

One day I found a pumpkin seed.
And planted it and pulled the weeds.
It sprouted roots and a big, long vine.
A pumpkin grew; I called it mine.
The pumpkin was quite round and fat.
I really am quite proud of that.
Then came time for me to pluck it
It was so large I could not budge it
I let it stay for one more night
And came back to see a great big fright
The pumpkin rose: I began to scream
On this the dawn of Halloween
It rolled to me all big and fat
And asked for a jacket and a hat
I clothed the fruit of orange and green
And asked it to stay for Halloween
It agreed to stay for one more day
So we could scare some the kids at play
And egg their houses this one time
And commit other juvenile crimes
Alas our time has come to an end
The pumpkin swore he’d return again
I fixed his jacket and his hat
And my pumpkin pal rolled off like that

Written by [Thunder Cid]

Games

Night of witches
Halloween
Cold ghost land of
Trick and treat

Toothless laughter
Pumpkin feet
Jack O'Lantern
Now roams free

Come on, children
Gather around
For a little
Game of tag

Little cherubs
Not your fault
If Master Pumpkin
Wins your souls

A bright soft morning
A spurious night
New young spirits
Learn to fly

Oh, brave children
You've died free
In the night of
Halloween

Written by [All_Most PUNK]