Challenging Poetry

when the dead walk

in the light of the moon when all is chill
and rotting leaves perfume the sky
when graveyards are empty for ghosts roam the hills
and pumpkins and turnips go walking until
their fire bright faces grin wide as they thrill,
while shrieking their triumphant cries—

on All Hallows Eve all the living should fear—
should shiver and sob through the night.
instead we send children with innocent cheer
to blackmail for candy with painted veneers—
everyone has a mask at the dark of the year—
until the dead fade with dawn’s light.

line count: 12

1 October Prompt ▶︎

Your prompt for the first time ever, and for today, is to write a poem, using the following words:
Ghost
Moon
Dark
Pumpkin

Quite an easy start, right? Smile

Please bold the above words so I can spot them when it comes to judging