By Ivanka Fear
Dressed to kill, makeup perfected,
clock strikes six, down our street we tread,
crescent moon illuminated
above dark town silhouetted.
Ahead of us, a night of thrills
awaits us, although the air chills.
From house to house we’ll roam until
we’ve crossed nearly every doorsill.
Candles cast eerie lights over
front yard where stray black cats wander.
Creepy music from loudspeakers
assails us as we get closer.
Bats flutter in branches of trees.
Skeletons hang next to banshees.
Bones clink a warning in the breeze
as we approach with shaking knees.
Pumpkins lit, their fake smiles leering
malevolently, appearing
at every doorstep surrounding
us in their glow as the bell dings.
Spider webs enhance the decor
of this lovely house of horror.
Witch with pointed hat answers door,
her cauldron filled with treats and more.
Cellar trap door creaks open wide,
setting free the vampires inside.
Winged creatures spread out their black capes,
following us as we escape.
Apron stained red bottom to top,
greeting customers as they stop,
butcher stands in front of meat shop
bloodied cleaver ready to chop.
Scared silly, we turn to the right.
Tombstones stand etched against the night,
giving us quite a fright despite
cemetery gates locked down tight.
Turning left, we pass the forest
where nocturnal creatures protest
with hoots and howls and screams, incensed
by us, their uninvited guests.
Up ahead where the sidewalk ends
lies the old house spirits defend.
In the dark, the undead descend
to haunt, according to legend.
So we back up, stay on our street,
the safest place to trick or treat.
In our quest for sweets, thirst to eat,
we bare our fangs to friends we meet.
Although our town appears serene,
it’s the scariest place you’ve seen,
spookiest town that’s ever been,
and it’s not even Halloween!
(Author’s Note: This poem was previously published at Spillwords.com.)
Ivanka Fear is a former teacher now pursuing her passion for writing. Her poems and short stories appear in Spadina Literary Review, Montreal Writes, Adelaide Literary, October Hill, Scarlet Leaf Review, The Sirens Call, The Literary Hatchet, Wellington Street Review, Aphelion, Muddy River Poetry Review, and elsewhere. She has completed her fourth suspense novel and is looking for an agent. Ivanka resides in midwestern Ontario, Canada, with her family and cats.
Published 10/29/20
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