Moonlit Revel

This one I will preface by saying you may have noticed in my header the lines from a poem that I change occasionally.  I post it here in its complete form, I hope you enjoy it.  The work was inspired by this stamp image that I once purchased after customizing with a line from my poem.  I am getting these again this year for my Halloween invites, you can purchase by the sheet, these are a great product offered by Zazzle.com go online and pick and choose and edit to your hearts desire.  Can’t wait to use these again. Enjoy!

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“Stroll with me beneath the Moon,

for surely They’ll be coming soon

to share with us the deepening gloom,

that must be Halloween.

Fellow Revelers walk this Night,

as They awake from yearly plight

deprived til now of sweet delight,

that must be Halloween.

Mischievousness the only goal,

for these few hours on parole.

And none but They could be so droll

that must be Halloween.

Sorry am I that They must wait,

upon the Eve to cross the gait.

Alas that is Their yearly Fate,

that must be Halloween.

All too soon the Night will fade,

and All shall pass into the Shade

to wait upon the next parade,

that must be Halloween.

Perhaps you’ll stroll with me once more,

when Gate stands wide and Spirits tour.

No other sight stir’s my hearts core,

that must be Halloween.”

-AE

Autumn Eyes

70JFwxBlood moon at zenith

From earth fog will rise

Prospects awaiting

Seen through autumn eyes

 

Cunning and patient

While folly foils fear

Silently stalwart

As hot breath draws near

 

Wind winds the cornstalks

A deep throaty hiss

Blackbirds go silent

A sign alls amiss

 

Ripe rabble en route

Yet focused on farce

Caught within whirlwind

Too beguiled to parse

 

Soon passing threshold

Point of no return

Eyes glowing hotter

Revealing the yearn

 

Rustling unbidden

And shifts unexplained

Imminent movement

From malice unchained

 

Traversing corn maze

Dupes still unaware

As soon all succumb

To Halloweens scare

– by A.E. October, 2016

Mirth and Musings Part 15

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I haven’t yet thanked everyone out there who is stopping by to visit – the days (and nights) are quickly passing and our Big Night is advancing and I wanted to reach out a bit and express my gratitude to Countdown to Halloween blogspot for hosting their compendium of Halloween blogs again this year.  It’s a great concept and much appreciated by me not only to be included but to have access to so many interesting and quirky blogs.  Fun to see so many sides to Halloween, the different perspectives and niche interests that expand and expound the experience.  If you are of the same mind, just click the Cryptkeeper button at the right to delve into the deep end yourself.

I am highlighting some of my writing this October, so if you stay awhile I hope you enjoy some of what I have and will be posting and this Mirth and Musings highlights another of my New Yorker covers.  I love the mischief in her eyes, seemingly to catch a peek at some malevolence to be sure.  Perhaps she is waiting to take a hand, or just enjoying the dreadfulness from afar…sure in her ability to provoke and promote misdeeds herself and appreciating others efforts.  In either case, that piercing gaze would unsettle my mettle.  Wonderful.

Pumpkins on Porches

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Pumpkins on porches devoid of the scorches awaiting their annual plight.

Soon knife will descend for a gut wrenching end but reborn with flame burning bright

Orbs patiently wait this glorified fate as sentries of Falls candy rite.

The obvious choice, gives the Eve a mute voice calling out “stop here for a bite!”

Flashing their glances whilst youngsters take chances braving their mischievous sight.

In groups or by one, they’ll come and they’ll come, to challenge this well-meaning fright.

As porches grow dark they remain the last spark, a reminder of mischiefs big night.

Soon burned flesh will rot and all’ll be forgot diminished by Novembers’ light.

AE, October 2016

Fear Not The Dark

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Strange that the Night, whose delight is fright

is nothing without a little light.

They work in concert you see, tricking your sensibility.

Tis light that creeps and weeps in crevices and corners deep.

Halos the wicked. Disturbs your sleep.

First one and then the other, lucid thought and courage smothered.

The dark appears, it sneers and jeers, taunting you with fervid fears.

Till eagerly you flick a switch, to confidently banish pitch.

Contrary light, glows bright its might betrays as it restores your sight.

You see it coming. You try to hide.

And conscious of irony, close your eyes.

AE, October 2016

Nothing grim about this…

Rogers Gardens has announced their annual Halloween Boutique Opening “Grimm Tales” will debut on Friday, September 2nd @ 9:00am!  Visiting this amazing boutique yearly has become a favorite for me and I hope you find time to stop by, it will not disappoint.

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“…and the Storyteller paused…
and it was as if the wonders he retold had cast a spell upon him…”-A.E.

“The forest is dark and enchanted…branches creak and leaves rustle as trees close in, obscuring the path home.  Wander deep into the shadows and you’ll find frightful folklores, fantastical stories and chilling tales.  These bedtime stories will give you nightmares, and you’ll discover that not all fairy tales end happily-ever-after.” –Rogers Gardens

 

Mirth and Musings Part 13

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I bid you all a wonderful, magical, terrifying, spooky, surprising, delectable, beguiling, bewitching, shivers down your spine All Hallows Eve!  Hope at the end of it you all get what you were hoping for, with a fair share of surprises along the way.  No haunt for me this year, finances prevented, but for the first time in years I am out and about.  Trying new things can be exciting, though I admit to some trepidation as I venture beyond the yard.  I will miss the doorbells and knocks, the shrieks and costume parade.  As the curtain rises on all the hard work of you Haunters out there I will light candles (placed inside pumpkins) to your diligence, creativity, and perseverance.    I applaud you all and wish you well.  See you on the other side.

Mirth and Musings Part 12 – Waxing Nostalgic

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Going to age myself a bit here, but couldn’t help it.  While sorting through my TNY  collection this Charles E. Martin cover made me smile wistfully as I remembered something from my childhood; something I couldn’t wait for when school days began in September as Halloween usually prompted the first one of the year.  The classroom party.  The chalkboard covered with the list of necessaries for a decent shindig and Mrs. Gresham or Mr. Argast signing up kids next to each one, invariably the “paper plates and napkins” and “cups” would go to that same kid in the front row whose arm would shoot up the moment the teacher asked.  I don’t know, maybe he was baking challenged.  The rest of us divvied up the cookies, brownies, other varied treats of no name, bottles of pop, etc for the Friday party. I remember classroom games, like heads up seven up and chalkboard hangman.  I remember a parade of students walking around the quad proudly displaying homemade costuming.  Teachers dressed as their alter egos (or true natures) best suggested.  Trick or treating room to room with each classroom decked out along its own theme.  The truncated lessons to make time to just enjoy the holiday undiminished by political correctness.  Madcap and mayhem would eventually ensue in the sugar tide, everyone going home clutching a paper plate with various goodies to enjoy over the weekend shared with family, if they survived the bus ride or walk home that is.

With Eyes That Know

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The title for this post is a line from the Don Mclean song written for quite another Vincent, but I thought it appropriate here in deference to this amazing collective by the Del Valle Archives.  Click pic to take you to the site but beware its for diehards only, as its a bit of a process to acquire from this collection.  Worth the effort, let me assure you.  While the anniversary of his death is later this month, this can serve as a reminder, should any be needed, that there is much of October left to enjoy his movies and legacy.  I am off to watch Laura, where he delights in my favorite of his character roles.  Mmmm, Noir!

Monster Ball Imminent…

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These spectacular images designed by Nico Delort for Dark Hall Mansion go on sale tomorrow, Tuesday October 13! This collection is a masterwork of theme and design and are certain to sell out quickly.  For more information on this incredible set, visit the DHM site.  Pic is clickable.  Check their blog for more information.  Don’t wait to get yours.  I won’t.