A Halloween Tale
’Twas the night before Halloween, the town in a trance,
No one could sleep, everyone seeking a chance.
The pumpkins were carved, faces glowing with glee,
In hopes that candy and costumes soon we’d see.
The kids were all nestled, excitement in their heads,
With visions of candy, they bounced in their beds.
And I in my witch hat, and mummy in his wrap,
Had just settled down for a Halloween nightcap.
When out on the street, there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my chair to see what was the matter.
Away to the window, I flew like a bat,
Threw open the blinds, and peered out like a cat.
The moon in the sky cast an eerie delight,
On ghoulish decor that haunted the night.
When, what to my curious eyes did appear,
But a creepy black hearse, and eight ghostly reindeer.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment, it must be Scully Nick.
More rapid than zombies, his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!
“Now, Drac! Now, Wolfie! Now, Frank and his Bride!
On, Phantom! On, Spooky! On, Zombie and Ghoulie!
To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall!
Now dash away, dash away, dash away all!”
Like bats through the night, they flew in a flurry,
With a hearse full of treats, and Scully Nick in no hurry.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof,
The scratching and clawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, turning back to the room,
Down the chimney, Scully Nick came with a boom.
He was dressed all in black, from his head to his boot,
And his clothes were all tattered, and covered in soot.
A bundle of tricks, he had slung on his back,
He looked like a villain opening his pack.
His eyes, how they gleamed with a menacing light,
His cheeks were like pumpkins, his grin full of fright.
He had a broad face, and a round little belly,
That creaked when he chuckled, a laugh that was smelly.
He was chubby and crooked, a right creepy old elf,
And I shivered when I saw him, in spite of myself.
A wink of his eye, a twist of his head,
Told me this Halloween night would be filled with dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his scheme,
And gave all the costumes and candies like a dream.
He sprang to his hearse, to his team gave a screech,
And away they all vanished, like a ghost on the beach.
But I heard him exclaim, as they faded from sight,
“Happy Halloween to all, and to all a spooky night!”
