»
Archives
»
Open Poetry #23
»
One Hallowed Eve’s Story
| Open Poetry #23 |
|
One Hallowed Eve’s Story |
|
|
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart 
|
One Hallowed Eve’s Story One Hallowe’en in years gone by, let’s see, October ‘68 I was too big a little kid, and to a costume, couldn’t relate. I informed the folks [told, not asked] that I would be the one to stay at home, hand out treats, watch the others have the fun. Besides, I had an essay to write, one for English lit, if it was not in by next Monday, my teacher’d have a fit! So I was quite set, and sent everyone on their way feeling fully grown-up was I, that’s all I have to say! But in ‘68 at age 16, I was not without a prayer for someone to watch over me, and went to the record player to turn on some noise, fill the quiet of the living room to help dispel ghostly shadows, and chase away any gloom. Then I popped some corn, and looked out into the night not seeing any dressed up kids, hum, it didn’t seem quite right; but oh well, they’d be here soon, so on it I didn’t think and to the living room I went, with my goodies and my drink. Nestled on the couch, my book upon my lap working hard on my essay, didn’t want to take a nap; when once, then twice, lights flickered off and on startling me, then the record player seemed to lose its song... The needle on it lingered, slowly the song droned out, then in total darkness I sat! but my dad, though not about being the good guy good in emergencies, left a little light so I grabbed the flash, and went to look out at the night. The streets were very dark, there were no porch lights on and of course it was strange and disturbing to look upon; stranger still, no folks about, no little ones tricking for a treat no costumed ghosts floating by, I was all alone on this street. Checked the locks, bolted the door, I didn’t care any more if there were folks out there, I wasn’t answering the door. Suddenly at 16, I felt quite young, little, filled with fear, but I was resolved, determined, not to shed a single tear! Quickly I lit many candles, and breathed thanks for same, promptly I was feeling fear, and of course some mingled shame. That I’d be scared of a little dark, there, alone by myself; so I lit more candles, placed them carefully on mantle and shelf. Gathering my waning courage, I went back to couch and books, shook myself a little, said, “Courage!” and then took a look; saw myself in the mantle’s mirror, looking strange in candlelight; looking as if I had seen my ghost, gave myself a fright! “Ok, Ok, you’re not here alone” and looked for my canine pet; but he was no where to find, then remembered, “he’s at the vet’s!” So truly I was all alone, my nerves they began to fray; and a mind, being what it is, began to wonder if I'd see another day! So childlike was I in silly fear, I went back and sat upon the couch, took my book with flashlight, nestled in, then said quite a loud “Ouch!” for I sat upon my own pen, it stuck me forcefully in my derriere ‘course, I said some other words, but they’re not appropriate here. Ok now, I think you can see, candlelight and flashlight flickering keen, throwing shadows all around, I think you can imagine the scene; alone, alone, and scared was I, waiting for a sound or bump in the night, my mind taking off on images, my fear's imagination in flight. Time seemed to have stopped, my breathing loud, laboring so, when suddenly from the corner of my eye, came a different glow. Behind the curtains, a small waver of someone’s breath it seemed, the curtains fluttered with the movement, then came my startled scream for something was coming closer, approaching where I sat and me with no place to run, when suddenly there was my pussycat! Then without warning, to my surprise, lights came on, the player started again someone was banging on the door, my heart leaped up and then little goblins, little ghosts come for their treats, amid giggling and reverie My family...everything back as it was...for nothing had changed...but me. ©KRJ 31 October 1999 [This message has been edited by Sunshine (10-31-2002 05:18 PM).] |
||
| © Copyright 2002 Karilea Rilling Jungel - All Rights Reserved | |||
|
Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
This is delightful - I'm smiling - I can still remember that disappointing feeling of growing too old to go out Trick-or-Treating - It was much less eventful than your wonderful story, however...  |
||
garysgirl  
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237Florida, USA |
Karilea, thanks for sharing this delihtful story. You had me almost looking aroud the corners. Glad it's not night. HeeHee!! Love To All, Ethel |
||
|
Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
Excellent tale Sunshine!! I remember when I was considered to old to go out treat or treating... But I sure make up for it now...heh heh.. ~Happy Haunting~ ~ Time has cast a spell on you |
||
|
Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Spooky tale, Karilea! |
||
|
Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Oh what a joy you can be sometimes, did anyone ever tell you that? This was simply a delightful story - one I can NOT relate to, as I still go trick or treating  Loved it though. Are Liz and I the only crazy grown up kids in here? |
||
|
the_loner_23 Member Ascendant
since 2002-06-08
Posts 5479Jacksonville, Florida, USA |
Hauntingly good tale Cold hands means a warm heart |
||
|
Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
Karilea.....I still have those nights.... when the darkness covers the shadows... and the crickets stop singing... But why did they stop? Excellently done Sun....oh yeah! |
||
|
Tammy Blessing Member
since 2002-08-26
Posts 366PA |
Wonderfull Halloween tale! Tammy |
||
|
|
⇧ top of page ⇧ |
|
| All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format. | ||
