JNW’S Halloween Challenge: Skeleton
I think our Bones
get weary
of having to wear our skin
I think they’d like to
peel it off
and let the darkness in
Our skulls are always laughing
our skeletons are very aware
they will danse without us
cool and dry and bare.
There was a knock upon my door
it woke me from my sleep
I didn’t reach for a light
I couldn’t even breathe.
It shouldn’t have been
there
no one should be at my door
all I wanted to do was sleep
But there was a knock upon my door
” Is anyone there? “
a voice echoed from the dark
” Answer me, are you there?”
And then it knocked again
louder then before
So I crept to my door and I pushed it open
…
” What do you want?” I demanded
as my door swung open wide
and a horrible white light burned into
my long shut sleeping eyes…
And a voice called from beyond the brightness:
What the hell is that? For God sake shut it, shut that coffin lid NOW!
JNW’S Halloween Challenge: Knock Knock
People are doing all sorts of wonderful, unique and creative ways to honor and remember their dead.
It’s a way to tell a story and in telling that story we hope to have that person live on- and they do.
But the story teller does that too.
I was at a cemetery, taking in the atmosphere, snapping pictures, learning stories when I saw this bench and the blue container behind it:
Photo: A.M. Moscoso
Photo A.M. Moscoso
So I took the lid off and looked inside:
Photo A.M. Moscoso
I couldn’t tell you what was in there exactly, all of it was fragile and on the verge of falling apart so I didn’t touch any of it.
But their story was in there, I just didn’t have the heart to dig for it.
It wasn’t a wasted story.
The is also a story was about the person who left these things here, they had a story to tell something they wanted to share.
And when I look over these pictures I can see it, and waiting for it to come together has a taste that all writers know.
JNW’S Halloween Challenge: Graveyard
” Tia, do you know the story about the Gates to Hell, you know, the real story. Not one of those made up ones.”
Harley’s Aunt Domino was sitting in a chair in her sewing room, working on one of her needlepoint projects.
” Go ask you Uncle. ”
” But he told me to ask you- he said you’re the one that traveled all over the world back in the day. He said you’d know. Come on Tia, I really want a good story to tell at the Halloween Party tonight. And thank you Tia for letting me have it here. You’re the best. ”
” You’re welcome Sweetness. Now. I’ve seen some strange things. Did I tell you I’ve seen a witch making a deal with the devil and ghosts drowning at Sea- forever poor things- and I watched a dead woman wind her way down a tree like a snake? Oh wait, I’ve seen that at least three times. Those post mortem possessions are a dime a dozen. Never mind.
” But no Gate to Hell?”
Domino put her needlepoint down and reached for her Niece’s hand. ” I’m sorry sweetness. No. I’ve never been to one or seen one. But I do have a nice collection of shrunken heads you can use at your party. How’s about that?”
Harley’s disappointment fell away from her face, ” Did you make them yourself?”
” I certainly did. But you might want to leave that part out. Be careful with them though. You know what happens when the stitches come loose from their mouths. ”
” Yes Tia, I know.”
” Good girl. Now take care of them, they’re my treasures you know.”
” I will.” Harley happily sprinted out of the room and Domino called after her, ” Harley. Harley come back here. Shut that door now. ”
” Sorry Tia.”
” It’s okay, ” Domino picked her needlepoint back up. ” Wouldn’t want somebody wandering in here by accident. They’d have a devil of a time trying to get away from your Tia once they come through that door, wouldn’t they?”
Domino smiled down into her needlepoint hoop and Harley’s face lit up like a Jack -O-Lantern.
” You’re the best Tia ” Harley cried as she ran out of the room and pulled the door closed behind her.
” Yes. ” Domino said, “Yes I am.”
JNW’S HALLOWEEN CHALLENGE: Gate