Halloween in the time COVID

The air chills. The last twilight bows before night. The black clouds drift before the Hunter’s moon.

There should be children out. Trick or treating. Parading up and down the street in their meme costumes.

But only one walks the road, dressed as the Red Death. The unmitigated gall, considering this pandemic year.

We should run him off the block. We don’t. Instead, we hold our breath, as shivers ripple across our spines. We hope he won’t stop at our door.

If only we were so lucky.

somewhere

the Samhain fires burn…

night screams

I’m hosting Haibun Monday over at dVerse, where we get our scare on for Halloween. The pub is still open. Come join us!

Comments

16 responses to “Halloween in the time COVID”

robtkistner

October 26, 2020

Yes Frank this was sobering. A truth that is upsetting but it’s our reality right now. The streets will be haunted, but maybe not as empty as they should be given this disease that’s among us. Oh well, happy Halloween!

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calmkate

October 26, 2020

you kept the eeriness but gave it current context, pray that death walks right by!

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Lucy

October 26, 2020

Oh, this is remarkably and evocatively haunting, Frank. It’s especially terrifying as it delineates our reality exactly as it is. There are elements of fear and anxiety we all face, and death lurks on each corner that we pray he walks away from. Beautifully, gothically penned.

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Ron. Lavalette

October 26, 2020

The simplicity with which this is presented, in addition to the very current and reality-oriented perspective from which it springs amplifies its success immensely. Well done, Sir.

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sarahsouthwest

October 27, 2020

This is so atmospheric, Frank, really well done. I love the ambivalence, the sense of fear. Brilliant.

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kim881

October 27, 2020

The sparse structure and short sentences are like a skeleton wearing a cloak of atmosphere, Frank. I love the ‘black clouds drift before the Hunter’s moon’ immediately before the simple statement ‘There should be children out’. it puts me right in the scene. I love the ending!

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freyathewriter

October 27, 2020

This made my skin crawl, Frank. The Red Death indeed… keep safe.

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-Eugenia

October 27, 2020

Wow! You surely captured that creepy feeling, Frank! Excellent ending.

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Beverly Crawford

October 27, 2020

What a riveting write! I think we all long for those innocent times when the streets were alive with happy little trick or treaters. Wonderful haiku too! Well written all.

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Jane Dougherty

October 27, 2020

I wonder if the root of the obsession with death, ghouls, zombies etc comes from the Catholic Church’s denial that the dead have any place with the living whereas the pagan festival is one of inviting the dead to come back to visit the living. They displaced the notion of love of the dead to one of fear.

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rothpoetry

October 27, 2020

Red death indeed! This truly is a year of overshadowing spector knocking at our chamber door!

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merrildsmith

October 27, 2020

This year has been scary enough without Halloween. A chilling, sobering message.

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memadtwo

October 27, 2020

The barriers have been crossed this year for sure. (K)

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Björn Rudberg (brudberg)

October 27, 2020

I love the reference to Poe here… the mask of the red death is a piece of writing that kept me awake at night… and for those dressing up to party these days he might come to visit.

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purplepeninportland

October 29, 2020

I,too, thought of Poe. This is sobering and sad.

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Jules

October 31, 2020

I haven’t left my light on for boos and ghouls for years. Last night was our area’s treat night – we went out to dinner.

Here’s hoping that the read death has passed most of those we love by…

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