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On the eve of November
by Linda FullerAs darkness descends on the eve of November
all amber eyes open to glimmer and shine
from cellar grates, rooftops, from lamp posts aligning
and bulbously lighting a leaf-littered lane;
orbs gazing from pumpkins in grimace or grinning
and lit by wicked candles from hollows within.
Woodsmoke, sweet cider and cinnamon scents
tickle six tiny noses of goblins, hellbent
on gathering candy, red apples and gelt
from witches and ogres and other adults.
Six clutching hands carry six round orange buckets
as these little ones venture out to maraud.
On a porch, shadow-shrouded, the doorbell set ringing
the door shudders open, a droop-lidded crone
appears, offers candy and apples and pennies
dispenses this treasure to twelve gimmee hands;
the children run screaming and giddy from splurging
then out of the shadows a seventh emerges.
In truth it seems woven of sea mist and cloud
which swirls, condenses, is finally shown as
the tiniest gobbet of goblinesque mien
concealed in a cloak of opaque gabardine
a thin hand, translucent, snakes out from a sleeve
grabs goodies, waves thank you, re-covers and leaves.
And so down the lane, where six goblins cavort
a seventh lags slightly behind in the dark
a tentative thrust of a frail tiny hand
the nodding of head in a timid thanks ma’am.
Two hours pass quickly, six children return
to softly lit houses where log fires burn.
The seventh looks on as a ghostly sky schooner
obscures the moon’s beacon, then scuds out of sight
now bearing the wisp of a fragile night passenger
weightless, invisible, wistful, alone
who leaves for November’s first morning these remnants:
a gabardine cloak, chocolate kiss, powdered bone.
10/10/2010 Posted on 10/10/2010
Copyright © 2024 Linda Fuller
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by George Hoerner on 10/10/10 at 08:38 PM Very nicely done Linda. I love it. |
| Posted by Therese Elaine on 10/10/10 at 11:00 PM Ahhh I have so missed your writing -and this is so deliciously delicate in its macabre twist, an almost melancholy horror wrapped in a cautionary tale, mixed with all the tricks of the season and the supernatural! |
| Posted by Steve Michaels on 10/10/10 at 11:33 PM That fourth stanza is 'winner winner chicken dinner'! (Woot, I quoted Guy Fieri!) |
| Posted by V. Blake on 10/11/10 at 12:34 AM Without question, the most impressive October/Halloween/Autumn poem to show itself this year. Excellent work, Linda. |
| Posted by Gabriel Ricard on 10/11/10 at 04:32 PM Definitely knows how to blow my hair back (which is saying something since I just shaved my head). Powerful, wonderful stuff right to the end. |
| Posted by Jo Halliday on 10/16/10 at 04:13 PM You've managed to make palpable the shroud of mystery and not in horror, but in adventure, the spirit of unknown one itches to touch; a gem of a poem! |
| Posted by Angela Nuzzo on 10/23/10 at 08:21 AM This is WONDERFUL, Linda! I love poems that tell a story & your poem is very visual. I could see the scenes playing out as I read. It would make a beautiful picture book (or poetry video). I really like the detail of how the alive children are "gimmee", whereas the ghost is polite & says "thank you." Well done! :) |
| Posted by Chris Sorrenti on 10/31/10 at 07:41 PM Although not my favorite month of the year; too dark, cold and gloomy...bring on the snow! Your poem however brings a whole new magic to November and the season in general. |
| Posted by Angela Stevens on 07/15/11 at 07:15 PM Your poem is so descriptive and vivid. Delightful to read. |
| Posted by Philip F De Pinto on 07/29/13 at 10:59 AM Linda, your words have such wonderful composure, not to mention the rhythms and musicality imbued within makes for the multitudes of hearts to gather about this poem and laud and dance. |
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