50°f/10°C, light cloud cover and a chill in the air.
Mr. Bones relaxing on the deck
GHOST HOUR
The whippoorwill's song is quiet
the lonely owl calls up the night
purple shadows in the gloaming
pass just beyond the window's light
The moon is riding high above
silver paints thick on golden leaves
that rustle in the frosted wind
and rattle drily at the eaves
Faces brighten at the fireside
backs huddle to the gathered dark
one voice raises in a story
about the time when spirits spark
When lonely careless maidens might
meet danger from some unknown hand
and strong men suffer deadly ends
from Satan's roving wicked band
The clock rings in the midnight hour
the voice is quiet, no one talks
all minds are on the black outside
and wonder if some demon stalks
But blue paint guards the window frames
and salt is scattered 'round about
blue bottles dangle on the trees
and keep the evil spirits out
the lonely owl calls up the night
purple shadows in the gloaming
pass just beyond the window's light
The moon is riding high above
silver paints thick on golden leaves
that rustle in the frosted wind
and rattle drily at the eaves
Faces brighten at the fireside
backs huddle to the gathered dark
one voice raises in a story
about the time when spirits spark
When lonely careless maidens might
meet danger from some unknown hand
and strong men suffer deadly ends
from Satan's roving wicked band
The clock rings in the midnight hour
the voice is quiet, no one talks
all minds are on the black outside
and wonder if some demon stalks
But blue paint guards the window frames
and salt is scattered 'round about
blue bottles dangle on the trees
and keep the evil spirits out
Susanna Holstein c2008
Halloween, or Samhain, has arrived, and our weather today is perfect for this night of spooks and thrills--gray, a light breeze that creates rustling in the leaves, or is it something else, gliding through the woods?
I think we'll be out and about tonight, probably to Charleston for Brawl-O-Ween, a Halloween event held along Brawley Walkway and Slack Plaza, where the City has been very active in holding all kinds of special events. We have enjoyed going to several of them. Yes,I will dress up in my witch garb, as costumes are encouraged. I don't think Larry will dress up though; he found his costume too cumbersome this year. We'll leave a bucket of candy at the top of our driveway, as we did last year, just in case any trick-or-treaters come by. They never come to our house any more, as people are afraid of our driveway! Silly people.
It has been a week of running for us, with Larry's doctor appointments in Charleston and Huntington, booth restocking, and hauling mulched leaves from a friend's house to put on our gardens. I finished up two projects, an end table and a tea cart, but spent my time at home mostly on housework, cooking, and pricing things for the booths. I hate to see October end, as it's one of my favorite months---well, all the months are favorites, with the exception of June, July, and August!
What are your Halloween plans? Going out or staying home? Waiting for trick-or-treaters, or do they give your house a pass too?
What a lovely poem!
ReplyDeleteWe don't 'do' Hallowe'en. I did it for 25 years teaching, plus my on 3 kids. I am finished!
Have a super Halloween weekend. We don't get Trick or treaters for many years but my grandson is going Trick or Treating in a neighborhood that goes all out.
ReplyDeleteFabulous poem. I spent trick or treat on the couch in my pajamas watching tv.
ReplyDeleteAs usual, our street had heavy traffic. People with 300 treats ran out. We put a few dozen bags of chips out; they did not last long.
ReplyDeleteWe only had 9 trick or treaters this year. Fewer an fewer kids are going door to door it seems with all of the trunk or treats around.
ReplyDeleteThe poem was very appropriate for Halloween. Thanks for sharing.