This Poem was Submitted By: Paul R Lindenmeyer On Date: 2006-11-01 14:16:14 . . . Click Here To Mail this Poem to a Friend!

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All Hallows Eve

"ALL HALLOWS EVE", THE FARMER SAID,  "A NIGHT OF NOISES, FEAR AND DREAD.   A TIME WHEN SPOOKS AND GHOSTS APPEAR.     THAT EVE WHICH EVEN STRONG HEARTS FEAR!!" "I'M NOT ASCARRED" THE YOUNG LAD SAID.  "THERE'S NO SUCH THINGS BENEATH MY BED,    AND IF THERE WAS, I'D SCREAM AND YELL,      TURN ON MY LIGHTS AND RING THIS BELL." "JUST WHAT'S THAT BELL SUPPOSED TO DO?'  THE FARMER ASKED WITH MUCH ADIEU.   "IT'S MAGICAL, AND MEANT TO CHASE     THE DEVIL BACK TO THAT HOT PLACE!" "THAT'S QUITE A TALE" THE FARMER SAID.  "NOW AS FOR WHAT'S BENEATH YOUR BED,   YOU REALLY THINK SOME LIGHTS AND BELLS     WILL SEND THEM RUNNING BACK TO H..L?" "YOU BETCHA, SURE!" THE LAD REPLIED,  "THE SOUNDS AND BRIGHT LIGHTS HURT THEIR EYES."    "THAT'S QUITE A TALE, INDEED A YARN,      BUT I HAVE SPOOKS INSIDE MY BARN." "BARN GHOSTS ARE QUITE ANOTHER BUNCH.  THEY SCREECH AND HOWL, AND THUMP AND CRUNCH."   YOU THINK YOUR LIGHT AND BELL WILL WORK,    TO CHASE THEM OUT FROM WHERE THEY LURK. "DON'T KNOW THE LAD SAID." NOW DISTRESSED,  "PERHAPS THEY'RE MAD, OR JUST POSSESSED?   OR MAYBE TRAPPED INSIDE THE HAY,     AND FEARFUL OF THE LIGHT OF DAY!" "INSIDE THE HAY, NOW THAT WOULD SOLVE  THE QUESTION OF THE COWS RESOLVE.   YOU SEE, THE COWS, INSTEAD OF MOO,    ALL HOLLOWS EVE AS ONE, HOWL BOO!"

Copyright © November 2006 Paul R Lindenmeyer

Additional Notes:
From my daughter, when she was 4, when I told her cows say moo, she said "Not today daddy." I asked why not, and she said "On Holloween the cows say "BOO"...Our kids are always teaching us something...{She's 21 and is still educating me.}


This Poem was Critiqued By: Nancy Ann Hemsworth On Date: 2006-12-04 19:33:59
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
This is just delightful..love the way it flows and your rhyme scheme. glad I came across it.


This Poem was Critiqued By: Thomas Edward Wright On Date: 2006-11-28 15:19:44
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
My only gripe here is with the last line: "Howl" = a long cry as from a wolf or hound. "BOO!" seems blurted or spat. Funny. Daughters do this to fathers. Thanks. tom
This Poem was Critiqued By: Mark Andrew Hislop On Date: 2006-11-23 01:20:23
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Hi Paul I think all referenda should be voted on only by children. You know, like "Should we stop dumping wheat in the ocean and just give it to poor countries?" and "Should we stop global warming before a whole lot of people drown?" Ah, what a wonderful world it would be ... Was it ALL by your 4-y-o, or only the "boo" bit? Whatever, it's a lovely poem. Best wishes, Mark
This Poem was Critiqued By: DeniMari Z. On Date: 2006-11-12 20:55:42
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 1.00000
Dear Paul, This is great - really a favorable read this month. It's just full of mishchief, and things that go bump in the night - much needed for a real Halloween tale. Love the idea of the cows saying "Boo." - nice memory for you to have had all these years, to look back on. Nice rhyming scheme with this - it's all in place, punctuated, and flows well, from verse to verse. I think it would have had just as much impact on the reader, without using all caps, but see why, you were emphasizing the whole piece. Good luck with this - it's a time treasured write. sincerely, Denimari
This Poem was Critiqued By: Mark Steven Scheffer On Date: 2006-11-11 02:51:28
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 1.00000
Paul, Great fun! The iambic flowed impeccably. Totally enjoyable poem. Thanks for offering. Mark
This Poem was Critiqued By: Terrye Godown On Date: 2006-11-09 00:41:49
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 1.00000
Hi Paul This is the perfect Halloween counterpart to "Twas the Night Before Christmas" poem! The use of caps present an imposing presence that toyfully plays with the reader while keeping the goblins in pace with perfect rhyme. I would say that the lesson your daughter taught you about the cows saying Boo on Halloween was pretty profound for a 4 year old! I can remember when my daughter was about 10 and I let her set up our traditional nativity scene for Christmas. I came back to check on her progress and she was finished, standing in front of it admiring her work. I asked her why all I was seeing was the backs of the wise men, the donkeys, the sheep and the shepherds, as I had always thoughtlessly lined them up as in a play, all facing an audience. My daughter's blue eyes flashed back at me through blonde bangs and said sharply "Mom, they're not 'sposed' to be facing us, they're 'sposed' to be facing HIM!", pointing her little finger towards the baby in the manger. Ah yes, the lessons we learn from our kids... This is an entertaining piece that one could hardly improve on which can be appreciated and enjoyed by anyone from age 4 to 100 (and beyond)! Thanks for presenting this really 'tricky treat' for us! Cheerz, Terrye
This Poem was Critiqued By: Claire H. Currier On Date: 2006-11-08 03:45:08
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 1.00000
Thanks for posting this adorable tale of woe for Halloween...........nice structure, word flow, rhyme and images created with the flare of your pen and to think your daughter helped create this back when she was only four.......children, we do learn so much from them and hopefully always will. My little grandson is eighteen months and I was amazed the other day when I saw him speaking in sign language with his mom and neither are with problems...........perhaps he will help teach his old gram.......enjoy the holidays and perhaps I will find yet another treat from your pen soon. God Bless, Claire
This Poem was Critiqued By: Lora Silvey On Date: 2006-11-08 00:50:16
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 1.00000
Paul, This is absolutely delicious, it's rhyme and cadence a delight to read. Very enjoyable, I can find no nit with this well penned offering. Kudos! Lora
This Poem was Critiqued By: marilyn terwilleger On Date: 2006-11-03 15:03:08
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 1.00000
Hi Paul....this is a magical Halloween tale and the fact that you wrote it for you duaghter makes it even better. Your word choices are very descriptive but most of all I like the rhyme scheme you used. It just sings along in such a musical way and wonderful when read aloud. Our children do teach us a lot and it begins with their birth. My children all have children of their own and I am always amazed at how smart they all are! this is a great poem for Halloween and it is wonderful to see a poem from your pen today. Best....Marilyn
This Poem was Critiqued By: Dellena Rovito On Date: 2006-11-01 19:35:12
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 1.00000
Paul, Really cute. Your daughter was plenty bright at 4years old. It carrys off such a sweet innocnce. How wonderful to have this journal diary poem of such magical qualities. You are blessed! Thanks for sharing. Dellna
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