The Onset of October

Here’s a poem for October – the month of cooler Autumn breezes, falling leaves, football tailgates, candy corn, caramel apples, and pumpkin spice latte. There are lots of wonderful imagery surrounding October such as the delight of children on marvelous trick or treat nights.

And here now, is the poem. Happy October y’all!

A Foreboding Place

Near the old barn, unseen coyotes howl eerily together at the full moon.

Skeletons rise slowly from the cold dirt behind broken tombstones in the old country graveyard down the road.

They dance, ivory bones rattling and clacking.

A green lantern orb shines down the beaten path across the ridge and disappears abruptly into the hollow of darkness surrounding the low water bridge.

Bats, hanging upside down from a cave’s entrance, watch witches that swiftly ascend and descend across the midnight sky. 

A night hag’s cackle sounds in the distance.

A black cat crosses your path, silently shrouded in night. 

Yellow gleams from her half-slit eyes.

A screech owl responds in the wind. 

Stirring, he sits aloft a hidden branch of the rugged oak tree nestled in the shadow of the solitary weathered house. 

It is purported to be haunted, or so the locals say.

This place is ominous even to the wearily aged man standing behind the glass of the second story window overlooking the quiet gravel road. 

Moonbeams pierce through the chest and abdomen of the man revealing his ghostly presence.

He waits for Hallow’s Eve, for the night he’ll be released.

While down the road from the neighbor’s porch, a jack-o-lantern pumpkin grins wickedly.

His candle flickers in the Autumn breeze. 

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Author: J. Speer

I like to write. I have 5 books currently on Amazon, mostly fiction. I try to write positive and uplifting children's stories, expressive poetry for women, and interesting articles about personal growth, alternative medicine, and spirituality. My stories are often about diverse people but with human connection in mind through inner perspective. I love my characters especially the ones from my first book, Searching for Fire. I moved recently to Vermont. I live in the North Country region near Lake Willoughby, one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. My heart will always be with Kansas but I love travel and meeting new people with diverse perspectives on life. I have found Vermonters to have many admirable qualities like stoicism and a love and stewardship of nature. My hobbies are writing, gardening, outdoor activities like kayaking, fishing, and hiking. I am an amateur herbalist. Many years ago, an alternative medicine doctor cured me of a respiratory illness by teaching me about vitamins and for that, I owe her a debt of gratitude. I recently bought a Jeep Wrangler that fits my personality and love for adventure. Associated with the military in my younger years, I have lived in Israel, Germany, and Virginia as well - all of which I loved in different ways. I thoroughly believe in the military spouse phrase, "bloom where you are planted" and endeavor to carry a positive optimism wherever I roam. Most days are good but admittedly I get down sometimes. I am prone to sadness or severe cynicism at times, so I turn to music as my consolation and source of expression or inspiration. My favorite songs currently are "How Deep is Your Love" by the Beegees, "La Vie en Rose", "A Million Dreams" or maybe Karen Carpenter singing "Close to You" or Elton John singing "Your Song." I also like "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us" by Starship or "I'll Stand by You" by The Pretenders. "Faithfully" by Journey always reminds me of rollerskating with friends in the 1980s. My favorite quotes are from the Velveteen Rabbit, Steve Jobs, and this one..."To the caterpillar it was the end of the world, but to the butterfly it was merely a beautiful beginning." Or there is the quote from Peter Pan teaching Wendy..."What if I fall? But, oh my darling, what if you fly?" I also believe in being a pearl - graceful on the outside but full of grit and gratitude on the inside. My favorite women of the Bible are Ruth, Hannah, and Hagar. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Cheers, friend.

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