I wrote the original to this some years ago and I come back to it most years to tweak a bit. This year, I've extended the last stanza as I felt the ending was a bit abrupt. I've also brought it into the present tense
I've just revised the last stanza
This year's revision 2010
Hallowe'en Breakdown
My engine stalls as twilit skies
devour the night to tantalize
my thoughts. I rush
for help. The narrow roadway seems
deserted, distant creatures scream
‘til there is hush.
Full moon diffuses eerie light
where shadows dance and bats take flight.
I feel a thrill
to spy a cottage through the trees,
it’s windows rattle while the breeze
is turning chill.
She beckons me with horny finger
saying, enter … do not linger
there in damp
night air. I scan the room and shiver
… what a sight! Her cackle quivers
as the lamp
light flickers, silhouetting vessels
on the shelves. I try to wrestle
with the crone,
who stirs her pot of spooky things,
that fire my wild imaginings
with flesh and bone.
Outside the wind begins to squall
as time ticks loudly on the wall.
I struggle free --
and make a dash towards the door,
her footsteps echo on the floor
not far from me.
I reach the window near the lane
as light glints through the window pane
-- a rooster calls.
I trip … into the fire, flames surge;
amidst the smoke, I watch her merge
into the wall.
------------------------------------
old last stanza
Outside the wind begins to squall
as time ticks loudly on the wall.
I struggle free
and make a dash towards the door,
her footsteps echo on the floor
not far from me.
I reach the window near the lane
as light glints through the window pane
-- I pray its dawn.
Her cauldron crackled churning smoke
awhirl, I hear her splutter … choke
Bang! … Where’s she gone?
Last revision
My engine stalled when twilit skies
engorged the night to tantalize
my thoughts. I rushed
for help. The narrow roadway seemed
deserted, distant creatures screamed
… then night was hushed.
Full moon diffused an eerie sight
where shadows danced and bats took flight.
I felt a thrill
to spy a cottage through the trees,
it’s windows rattling as the breeze
was turning chill.
She beckoned me with claw-like finger
bade me enter, not to linger
long in damp
night air. I stepped inside and shivered
from sheer dread; her cackle quivered
when the lamp
light flickered, silhouetting vessels
on the shelves. Emotions wrestled
with that hag
who stirred her pot of secret things,
so filled with wild imaginings
that made me gag.
Outside the winds began to squall;
I heard the clock tick on the wall
and prayed for dawn.
Her cauldron crackled, churning smoke
awhirl, I heard her splutter … choke
Tee hee!
What a FUN poem to read tonight, Snow! I like the format of this and enjoyed reading each stanza as the drama of the mysterious evening unfolded. I'm not ready for critting this one, but did want to stop by and say that I enjoyed it!!!
~Cleo
Thanks Lori - makes a nice change from ballet at the moment! LOL!
Happy Hallowe'en
Hugs
Snow
Snow,
A very timely and topical poem. I loved your rhymes, they all fit and nothing seemed forced.
I enjoyed the flow and storyline; I think your revision is much improved and I can't really think of anything to adjust or tweak.
JLY
Thanks John! I've done a few revisions on this - I tend to bring it out of the drawer each year
Snow
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