Fervid Fall Fantasy
Dismal dread night shadows creeping,
Darkened curtains barely keeping
Misty moonlight beams from seeping
Through my study, down the hall.
Ghostly demons float unending.
Messages to me are sending
Echoes from the past resounding—
_Bouncing off my wall.
Bouncing, sounding, mind confounding,
_All around rebounding—
On and on, a frightful squall.
Wide awake within an instant,
Though the echoes sound quite distant,
Still, it seems that they are rampant
Like a deadly demon call.
Wonder what they are intending.
What hearts have the haints been haunting?
Could it be that they were wending
_From a monster ball?
Worried next what might be pending—
_Planning my downfall?
Might hot Hades soon befall?
Dare I draw the purple curtain?
Hesitant and still uncertain,
Fearing fetid villains lurking
Playing on the stony wall
(Bordering my poor estate),
Maybe swinging on my gate.
See a steady stream is smirking—
_Eerie is the pall.
Changing shapes with wicked spurting;
_Shadows shifting, small;
Laughing like some odd goofball.
As I peer on Halloween,
Garrulous ghouls in garish scene,
Flitting round the neighbor’s green,
Dancing at the monster ball.
Visions of their bash are flashing,
As the goblin hordes are dancing.
Dancing, prancing, quite entrancing—
_What a caterwaul!
Then I see them! Goblins advancing,
_Something burning my eyeballs.
Masks like leaves from oak trees fall.
Women’s faces! Truth revealing,
Everyone is quite appealing.
Some are standing. Some are kneeling.
Goodness sakes, how they enthrall!
Inner senses now are reeling,
Staring out with heightened feeling,
Staring till the dawn comes stealing—
_O’er my stony wall.
Gone the shadows on my ceiling,
_Goblins fled my wall.
Could it be I dreamed it all?
LTC Roy E. Peterson, US Army Military Intelligence and Russian Foreign Area Officer (Retired) has published more than 6,200 poems in 88 of his 112 books. He has been an Army Attaché in Moscow, Commander of INF Portal Monitoring in Votkinsk, first US Foreign Commercial Officer in Vladivostok, Russia and Regional Manager in the Russian Far East for IBM. He holds a BA, Hardin-Simmons University (Political Science); MA, University of Arizona (Political Science); MA, University of Southern California (Int. Relations) and MBA University of Phoenix. He taught at the University of Arizona, Western New Mexico University, University of Maryland, Travel University and the University of Phoenix.
Notes: 1.) I thought in Verse 2 of putting “To a monster ball,” but it was so late at night my thought process was “From…
2.) I thought about ending it with “That is all I can recall,” but it seemed murkier to say, “Could it be I dreamed it all?” thus making it questionable.
“Could it be I dreamed it all?” sounds murkily questionable to me! Remember, Roy, those women could be AI creatures–an appropriate possibility for tomorrow’s contemporary Halloween. We used to have a category for poems based on Poe’s Raven. This is a good one. “Garrulous ghouls in garish scene” combines sight and sound and scariness.
Margaret, thank you for your vote of confidence. After Bonham’s AI poem today, I will be sure to use binoculars and check on the women more closely next time! I always appreciate your precious comments and support.
Poe is on his way to meet you
With a bony handshake greet you,
Ere he deftly trick or treat you,
For your piece that apes his style.
Nicely done, Roy. You captured the paranoid feel and creepiness of the original.
Paul, thank you for your kind comment and interesting poem.
The pace and intensity are quite fascinating. Amazing work!
Thank you, Margaret for the kind comments,
Good to see the intensive use of feminine rhymes from time to time, Roy – well done!
James, that is a special compliment coming from such a great poet.
Fantastic job. When I was forced to read poetry many years ago in school (do they still do that?), The Raven was the one that resonated with me. Prior to that, I had thought poetry was by definition boring and impenetrable. You have masterfully rekindled those ancient memories. Halloween is the perfect time to harken back to Poe.
As one who appreciates your wonderful poems, I appreciate your thoughts, memories, and Poe related comments. I have wondered the same thing about do they still read classic poetry in school?
This is a delightful, shivery gallop, spooky and fun. And how well the meter suits the theme–and that plus the rhymes gives a sense of speed and excitement. The visual images tumble over one another, portraying the agitation of the speaker. A very well-made adventure for Halloween.
Bhikkhu, I especially like your comment about “the agitation of the speaker.” My first draft was written rather quickly when I was in the zone, so to speak. Thank you for your excellent comments.
This is a delightfully spooky poem, Roy, which has the added element of psychological ambiguity. I love the way Poe has inspired you into a fantasy of frightening images and delightful sound effects. This is a poem which must be read out loud to be fully appreciated! Perfect Halloween fare. Thank you for this!
Brian, thank you for your inciteful comments and encouragement. I have gravitated to Poe when October comes around. Under the SCP “Poems” button and under the category, “The Raven,” are two of my past published Poe-like poems. I have four more saved for future use.
This Peterson/Poe mix is a poetic treat that adds a spooky pinch of spice to the Halloween sparkle. Roy, thank you!
I revel in your appreciation and the Peterson/Poe comparison. Thank you, many times over.