Over at dVerse, Frank is our capable host this evening as we consider that special time of year when the veil between this world and the world beyond is at its thinnest – Hallowe’en.
Frank has invited us to craft a haibun (a piece of prose followed by a haiku) on this very theme. Whether you revel in the ‘holiday’ aspect loved by adult and children alike, whether your preference is for the inclusion of Samhain in your seasonal celebrations, or whether you just prefer a little fear and ghoulishness, why not have a go at crafting your haibun as the night draws in?
Take part, get your word on or just have a read. There’s bound to be something that will make your skin crawl…. mwahahahaaaaaa!
Here’s my offering – I hope you enjoy it!
*****
The rain spatters against the windows, reminiscent of thousands of dry, bony fingers tap, tap, tapping on the glass, demanding my attention. The curtains, ragged and thin from decades of wear, hang loosely from the rail, too short and too narrow for their supposed purpose. The pale, glowering moon menaces through the branches of the skeletal trees. Its insipid light is no match for the heavy darkness in here.
I light a candle, observing as the match is greedily consumed by the flame, cursing as the searing heat threatens to singe my flesh. Tonight is not the night for a sacrifice, much as the season might demand a burnt offering, recalling a time of witches, stakes and ducking stools. I refuse to submit, I have fought tooth and mail for the power I now possess.
Your science is no
match for me; All Hallow’s Eve
is my dark domain.
Freya Writes... 
This is very vivid and haunting. So appropriate for Halloween. As well, I absolutely loved these lines:
“The pale, glowering moon menaces through the branches of the skeletal trees. Its insipid light is no match for the heavy darkness in here.”
The darkness captivates me. It’s perfect and lovely, such amazing writing here!
Thank you so much Lucy. I have a deep respect for this time of year and have always been fascinated by this country’s (I’m in the UK) pagan roots.
That curtain that cannot keep out what lurks in the dark creeps me right now. I love your vivid imagery here.
Thank you!
You’re welcome.
Wonderfully visual and haunting.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, thank you.
I’m glad you found it so, thank you.
Woo-hoo-hooooooo! I like this little nod to the older, darker traditions, and the idea of the finger-tip as burnt offering. Maybe we don’t even realise we’re sacrificing to the Old Ones.
Thank you – I’m glad you enjoyed this nod to the Old Ways!
Ooh, I enjoyed this one, Freya, and being written in the present tense makes it all the scarier, even though I’m reading it at 7.45 in the morning! I love the use of sound, the rain like ‘thousands of dry, bony fingers tap, tap, tapping on the glass’ and the moon menacing through the skeletal trees. Even the match is ‘greedily consumed by the flame’.
Thank you! Any time of day is good for a bit of fear 😜
sounds very menacing to me … I will stay well away from your home 😉
Probably wise! 😂
Beautifully descriptively penned! Conjures up all things that go bump in the night!
Thank you!
You have me intrigued by this vivid scene. Who is the person with the match?
Ah well, now that would be telling! Safe to say, they inhabit the dark places…
Remind never to forget a torch…
A very wise decision! Although batteries don’t last forever…
I’d never wander so far from home. I’m not completely daft 🙂
😂
Those bony fingers on the window are really vivid for me. I also enjoyed how the narrator became one with the darkness.
Thank you Björn, I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Excellent images here, Freya! The tapping, and the darkness Inside.
Thank you so much, I’m glad you enjoyed it!