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Open Poetry #3
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One Hallowed Eve’s Story [Suitable to read to little kids]
| Open Poetry #3 |
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One Hallowed Eve’s Story [Suitable to read to little kids] |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart 
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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 long 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 little prayer for someone to watch over me, and went to the record player to turn on some noise, and fill the quiet of the living room to help dispel night’s ghostly shadows, and chase away any gloom. Then I popped some pop corn, and looked out into the night not seeing any dressed up kids, hum, it didn’t seem just 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 treat and drink. Nestled on the living room couch, my book upon my lap working hard on my essay, didn’t want to sound like a sap; when once, then twice, the lights flickered off and on startled 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 Father, though not about being the kind of guy good in emergencies, left a light so I grabbed the flash, and went to look out at the night. The streets were darker, 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; looked as if I had seen my ghost, gave myself a vicious fright! “Ok, Ok, you’re not here all 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 would ever see 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 of imagined fear and 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 breathe it seemed, the curtains fluttered as the movement, then came my startled scream for the movement came on closer, coming closer to where I sat and I had no place to run, when suddenly all I saw 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 treats, amid lots of giggling and reverie My family...everything back as it was...and nothing was changed...but me. ©KRJ 31 October 1999 ------------------ Sunshine Look, then, into thine heart, and write ~~~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow |
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| © Copyright 1999 Karilea Rilling Jungel - All Rights Reserved | |||
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Shine, this is a nice story  |
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Systematic Decay Senior Member
since 1999-09-15
Posts 1301That place with padded walls and funny people in white......... |
This is quite an interesting poem, I liked it. ------------------ "Despite all my rage, I am still just a rat in a cage." -Billy Corgan- |
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WhtDove Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245Illinois |
Well done Sunshine! Frightening to be all alone in the dark. shh, but I still get like that. hehe...good one I really enjoyed this a lot! |
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Ohme Senior Member
since 1999-07-17
Posts 816Texas |
No doubt a lot of us can remember one particular night that was a bit scary. Very nice, enjoyed it very much. |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
We're never as 'grown-up' as we think we are! Great story Sunshine! ------------------ Denise |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Thank you, Sunshine. This was a delightful read. |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Sunshine, Thank you it really was a delightful read |
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Munda Member Elite
since 1999-10-08
Posts 3544The Hague, The Netherlands |
This was wonderful. : ) Thank you Sunshine. |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
I enjoyed this alot Sunshine. |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
It was tame, but I'm glad you all enjoyed the read. [Didn't seem tame some 30+ years ago! LOL!] |
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Isis Member Ascendant
since 1999-09-06
Posts 6296Sunny Queensland |
Thanks Sunshine, loved the read!!! ------------------ Cast your eyes on the ocean, Every man goes down to his death bearing in his hands only that which he has given away... ~Isis~ (Daughter of Mystery) |
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Watcher666 Senior Member
since 1999-10-13
Posts 1606 |
Great story! Remember the feeling well! ------------------ Illusion...what we see and what we do...it's all up to you. |
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