The night before Halloween

by Theresa Sinclair
Written for an English Class assignment.

T’was the night before Halloween
As I walked through the house.
While sipping my drink
I spilled some on my blouse.

So off to the kitchen

I went for a towel.

When back in the living room

I heard a soft growl.

It wasn’t very loud

Or scary at that.

It was the same sort of growl

From a dog or a cat.

At first, I was startled

But not really upset.

Then I remembered,

I don’t have a pet! 

So I ran to the living room

But hid by the door.

The noise became louder

To loud to ignore.

I crept towards the sofa

Trying hard not to shake.

Then the floor started moving

It was like an earthquake.

When a voice like thunder

Came roaring out loud.

You must leave this house

Two’s company, three’s a crowd!

My eyes as big as saucers

My body trembled with fear.

As a large shadowy figure

And his small creature drew near.

I was frozen with terror

As he walked towards the light.

I’m not leaving I shouted

Not without a fight.

No fighting in this house

But still you must leave.

We lived and we died here

On all Hallow’s Eve.

A cold dark night

Over a century ago.

My pet Argus and I

Fell asleep by the window.

A gust of wind blew

And the oak branch gave way.

It was that fateful night

Which keeps me here today.

Things left undone.

Words left unsaid.

This is what haunts you

When you are dead!

Perhaps I can help you,

I whispered with care.

Tell me what to do

To end your despair.

He paused for a moment,

His eyes filled with tears.

You must find my letter.

It has been lost all these years.

Then the mist faded

And it was silent once more.

I sat in the chair

and I stared at the door?

A letter I thought,

Where could it be?

How will I find it?

Why is this happing to me?

Then the old grandfather clock

Chimes roared through the halls.

It rang so loudly

It rattled the walls.

The picture of Great Grandpa

That hung by the door,

Rattled and shook

Then fell to the floor.

Not one thing was broken

The frame was not scratched

But behind that old picture

Was a board that was cracked.

I moved the cracked board

To my amazement, I found.

A tattered old letter

With gold ribbon was bound.

The words said, “I’m sorry

For the things that I’ve done.

I have no excuses

Forgive me my son!”

I felt so much sadness

My heart felt his pain.

He could never be forgiven.

My efforts were in vein.

As the tear hit the paper

The name Frank Dodd it revealed.

Hey that is my grandpa!

Perhaps he CAN be healed.

Grandpa listened intently,

And then gave a smile.

This was written by Great Papa

I haven’t thought of him in a while.

You know, he died in this house

I was told he’s a nasty ol’ coot!

He and my grandfather

Never settled their dispute.

When Franklin O. Dodd died,

He was thought of as bitter not kind.

Not exactly the memory

I would like to leave behind.

My Grandpa said, “Thank you.”

“This means a lot you see,”

Maybe he wasn’t as bad

As my family told me.”

I felt so relieved

As I jumped into bed.

But something was gnawing

In the back of my head.

What was it about?

This fight that they had.

What argument could keep

A son from his dad.

This ghostly gray figure

Suddenly appeared in a fog

“The argument,” he bellowed,

“was over this dog!”

He wanted a puppy.

But I told him no way.

So he packed up his bags.

With his mom, he would stay.

He said I was mean.

And he didn’t love me no more.

He cried as I shouted back.

“Just go!,” and slammed the door.

It was getting pretty late.

I put the dog in a tote.

Was going to leave it on the doorstep,

With the letter I wrote .

The wind started howling

I waited till it was done.

Since that awful night

I have not seen my son.

Thank you, dear child

For setting things right.

I’ll no longer haunt you

On all Hallow’s Eve night.

PLEASE DO NOT COPY WITHOUT MY EXPRESSED WRITTEN CONSENT!