The Darkest Halloween

Tamara Beryl Latham - The Poet

  

The Darkest Halloween

 

Under cloak of a midnight sky,

on Halloween, the moon was full.

An eerie sight soon caught my eye,

I viewed his body being pulled.

 

The dirt unearthed was moist and fresh,

once the grave where he'd been placed.

A man of forty, so I'd guessed,

I could, just barely, see his face.

 

When I moved in closer still,

five tombstones there surrounded me,

and chanting in the night air filled,

the prophesies of mystery.

 

On this day, so prophesied,

chanting of a thousand witches,

would raise the dead from all the tombs,

all the morgues and crypts and ditches.

 

At the stroke of twelve, or so,

while stirring fast strange witches brew,

their voices filled the midnight hour,

and chanted 'til the stroke of two.

 

Potions, cauldrons, signs of death,

raised my hair, as I held my breath.

"Ravens, Banshees, Owls and Trolls,

raise the bones of forty souls."

 

Witches moved to form an arc,

and in the center placed the man, 

then dripped the blood of forty larks,

that severed both his lifeless hands.

 

When the chanting nearly ceased,

his hands began to fly like bats,

and to the air white doves released,

soon followed by black howling cats.

 

Beyond fear, I was a wreck.

I told my feet to pick up steam,

but one hand grabbed me 'round the neck

on this, the darkest, Halloween.

 

So, next time as you walk alone,

in the dark, on a moonlit night, 

remember the rest of his bones

are out there to fill you with fright.

 

The witches "sign of the five,"

are points of a star bringing death.

At this moment you're still alive,

while I am still catching my breath.

 

Each Halloween at midnight, 

his body still roams, that's no joke.

His hands are still able to fly,

and next time they'll fly at your throat.

 

  • Author: Tamara Beryl Latham (Pseudonym) (Offline Offline)
  • Published: September 24th, 2018 14:12
  • Category: Special occasion
  • Views: 42
  • User favorite of this poem: Medusx.
Get a free collection of Classic Poetry and subscribe to My Poetic Side ↓

Receive the ebook in seconds 50 poems from 50 different authors Weekly news

Comments7

  • Tamara Beryl Latham - The Poet

    hodgetiger, I could have sworn I replied to your post, but I cannot find it.

    Thank you for having taken the time to read and offer feedback. I appreciate your effort and wanted to post this before Halloween.

    Thank you for your comments. 🙂

  • Richard--Castle Donington

    A riveting read, scary, engaging and thoroughly enjoyable, I look forward to reading more!

  • Gogeta

    hodgetiger, nailed it on the head. A wonderfully visual poem and a great Halloween story. I can't wait to read more 😁

    • Tamara Beryl Latham - The Poet

      Thanks for responding. Think my writing days are over. I don't write too many poems anymore., but I appreciate your comment. 🙂

    • Kurt Philip Behm

      Fabulous! I'm going to print it in orange and black and hang it on the front door for Halloween!

      Kurt

    • Netashi

      I will counter his hands with a high five, great poem Tamara. Delightfully frightening keep up the good work
      - Theta

    • Tamara Beryl Latham - The Poet

      Oh, that's wonderful, Kurt. My sister is a teacher and she mentioned she reads it to her class, as she's walking around the room, and then stops and touches a child's neck at the last line. Something like musical chairs. She says the kids love it. 🙂

    • vanabba3

      Loved your poem! I am also a fan of Halloween and gothic poetry. Had to read because of the title, and very glad I did, great poem! If you get a chance, check out my poems: Beware! Stranger at My Window, Dinner for Two and Death Would Like Tea...etc... Keep the lights on.

      • Tamara Beryl Latham - The Poet

        Thanks for the input, vanabba3. I will definitely check out your poems and I\'m happy you enjoyed \"The Darkest Halloween.\" 🙂



      To be able to comment and rate this poem, you must be registered. Register here or if you are already registered, login here.