On a day when real danger looked fake
one laid under the weather, poor fellow
could not feel his head, could not feel his toes
and worst of all, for the grim life of him,
for how long, he had no recollection
Something will die, he instinctively knew
and he shot up deadpan with chilled terror
the wind rustling in the azaleas bush —
slackjawed him,
goose bumped him,
and the screwdriver on his head fell to his lap, bloodied
In the night’s taut scrim, the caw of a crow
on a day when real danger was fake,
sent shivers right down his disgorged middle
and, eyes peeled, he saw two figures hobbling
crouched close like a pair of skittish horses
As they scurried close, they boggled his mind:
well-a-never! jack-o’-lanterns with legs!
Oh no, sirs, you don’t, he screamed in his head,
over my dead body–you can’t do that!
But the Jacks would have none of his squirmish
over his body, they trodded indeed
and dogs of the cemetery barked loud
on a day when danger was fakery
© 2022 selmamartin.com
Ok, this one is scary. And obviously too long. But it came to me in a dream that
now I’ve passed on to you.
Written for Sammi’s 13 Days of Samhain prompts for The Thinning of The Veil.
I’m trying to stay true to 13 days. Thanks, Sammi.
And thank you all for reading and commenting.
Happy Samhain and I wish you miracles.
- I’m Practicing: A Positive Double Whammy - April 24, 2024
- Day 24: NaPoWriMo 2024–A “Barrowed” Line - April 24, 2024
- Day 23: NaPoWriMo 2024–The Superheroic Prompt - April 23, 2024
Wow. A vivid dream, a vivid poem, and very evocative imagery 🙂
Hehe. Probably overdid it. Glad you liked it, Sammi. Thank YOU.
Brava!
Bowing 🙇♀️ thanks, A. 💕
It’s Halloween months, scary is good 🙂
Yes indeed. XoXo
Really scary.
That was scary, right? 🤣 🎃
Oh yeah!
Poor guy! He hadn’t a clue and neither did those trick-or-treaters lol. The POV, the humor, the real and unreal mixing on Halloween, all come together so well in this poem. Enjoyed this, Selma!
I’m thrilled you enjoyed it. ‘He’ was already dead (like Marley, to begin with) but he didn’t know it. So when he used the phrase, ‘over my dead body’ it was more literal than he knew. I thought that was funny. Somehow.
Anyway so glad you enjoyed it. 👏
A scary poem indeed, Selma. Ideal for Halloween. I should have read it in the morning; it’s nearly bedtime here – I’ll try not to take these thoughts to bed with me! Xx 😉
Oh no. I should have put a warning to that effect: like ‘read at your own risk’ or ‘read only in the morning’ Oh no! Are you going to recover soon? Hope so, my sweet. Dream happy dreams. XxXxOO 🥰
It definitely has a creepy feel. (K)
I went far out to make it creepy for you, K. Glad you liked. 👍🏼
Very spooky indeed, Selma! <3
Spooky it was— 😜 try to forget it, ok 😉 I bless you. And thanks for leaving a comment on Spillwords. I’m overjoyed. Thanks. 🎁
Spooky story .. now i hope i sleep tonight.. lol boo
Are you still in New York, Cindy? If you cannot sleep after this story, distract in the city that never sleeps. Xoxo. Blessings
Oooh, creepy!