Mary Naylor (12/17/33 / Chicago, Illinois)

A pumpkin pie moon was shining bright,
and floppy scarecrows danced in the wind,
Sitting on my porch, I saw a strange sight
That made flowers shiver and jack-o-lanterns grin.

Black thunder clouds reared like ragged cliff walls,
Marbled with jagged lightning strikes,
Coyotes howled, and restless cattle bawled.
When a huge creature appeared in the crackling light.

Creature, creature of the night,
Standing in the wind, unholy sight!
From what corner of Hell do you come?
When I look into your eyes, my heart goes numb!

He didn't answer me, but just shambled on,
A fiery bag hanging from his great frame.
Surrounded by a packs of baying hounds,
Pure souls passed on, but those red-stained, he claimed.

He walked with his burden into the rain,
So close to my chair, I felt the wind's scorch.
I heard the captive souls' moans, and I felt their pain,
While his pulsing probe coursed around my porch!

A healing shower refreshed my soul.
Suddenly the clouds cleared and the night calmed.
The air became balmy, but not cold,
and a gentle breeze whispered a soothing psalm.

'A nightmare, ' I murmured, vastly relieved!
'Grandpa, who was that giant? ' my grandson asked.
'Just shadows. Cookies inside! ' He's so young, you see.
I turned one more times to watch that thing pass.

Creature, Creature, of Halloween night,
Standing in the wind, unholy sight.
From what corner of Hell do you come?
When I look into your eyes, my heart goes numb!