There’s an online Halloweensie Contest on Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog. The rules of the contest are to write a 100-word or less Halloween story appropriate for weensie readers, using the words spooky, black cat, and cackle. Here’s what I came up with:
Witch and Ghost
Witch and Ghost walk hand in hand.
They pass Black Cat, sleek and grand.
A tree branch rattles. Cold winds blow.
But Witch and Ghost have far to go.
Their shoes clip clop on long, dark roads.
Their backs are bent with heavy loads.
Witch climbs the steps. She pulls the gate.
Ghost slips through. They can’t be late.
They hear a cackle! A spooky shriek!
A dark door opens with a creak.
Witch grips her broomstick. In Ghost glides.
What frightful sights await inside?
–Buffy Silverman, 2013, all rights reserved
Not wanting to leave you with a cliff-hanger, here’s the Halloween party I picture as a final illustration:
Well, maybe that’s the wrong kind of party for the weensie set. (But in my defense, when you do a google image search for Halloween parties, most seem to be aimed at an adult audience. When did Halloween become a grown-up affair I ask in my most curmudgeonly voice?) This one might be more appropriate:
Are you suffering from a Halloween hangover? Waltz on over to Teacher Dance where Linda Baie is hosting Poetry Friday and treat yourself to a healthy dose of poetry. 
I can’t believe I missed this until now. It’s fun and so well done. Nice rhymes and perfect meter. I think it would be a great way to start a Halloween class discussion.
Well done, Buffy. . .the rhyming is terrific! Thanks for sharing your story with us.
Buffy, I loved all of the sensory images in your poem: the clip clopping feet, the witch and ghost bent over, their heavy loads. Great!
Great entry, Buffy! Nice mood, wonderful rhymes and meter, and I like the sense that Witch and Ghost are headed someplace that we’re not allowed to go – hey, like maybe a “spookeasy” (hence the adult libations). 🙂
I love how the spooky changed in my mind to costumed characters with bags of candy headed for a party!!
Wow-your story has lots of support, Buffy, and it’s good! I think you set up the background so well (cold winds blow, & long, dark roads/ , but especially love the idea of the witch and ghost working so very hard (heavy loads), & then wondering what was in store behind that door. Yes, I guess Halloween has become an ‘event’ for all comers! Thanks for such a fun story! That millipede is wondrously large!
Thanks Linda for your nice comments–and thanks for hosting Poetry Friday today.
Great “weensie” story, Buffy! Interesting that a picture of alcohol would come up with a search for “Halloween party”! I heard on the radio that Halloween is the #2 holiday for alcohol consumption after New Year’s Eve! Crazy! =)
Thanks Bridget. Wow…I would not have guessed that Halloween ranked that high for alcohol use.
Good job pulling together your challenge! I’m sure ‘weensie’ readers would love it!
Thanks Matt–I appreciate it (and I guess you know what the weensie set likes, at least the weensies in your household.)
Yay Buffy! This is fab. Glad Witch has that broomstick tightly gripped!
That’s the only way to make a quick getaway–thanks for stopping by Cathy.
Very evocative and captures the eerie but not too spooky spirit of the season. It does seem adults these days are having a little too much fun on Halloween :). So many good poems entered in Susanna’s contest. I’m glad I’m not the one who has to pick the winners.
P.S. The millipede gives me the shivers. Used to have those in my mom’s house all the time and it just felt weird when they curled up to die.
Thanks Jama–I tried not to make it too spooky for the weensie audience. Those millipedes curl up when you disturb them (and I shook this poor baby to make it spiral.)
Buffy – I love it! Short and sweet and executed perfectly!
Thanks B.J.! (and thanks for posting about my poem on facebook.)
Super poem, Buffy! I love that they are on a mission and the ghost slips through, great imagery. And great photo of a millipede.
Thanks Catherine–I appreciate it (and I’m glad you like my photogenic millipede.)
Hi Buffy!
Great imagery and idea for a poem. Love it. 🙂
Thank you–and thanks for stopping by and commenting.
What sights, indeed! I love the evocative setting and the fact that you leave the ending to the imagination. Very nice, Buffy!
Thanks Carrie–glad you enjoyed it. (With only 100 words, leaving the ending to the imagination or illustration helps.)
Party on, Buffy! Masterful technique and storytelling, as always. 🙂 I especially like how the ghost “slipped through”… when your a ghost, who needs no stinkin’ gate, right?
Thanks Michelle (should I admit that you’re giving me more credit than I deserve? I chose slipped for its sound and pictured ghost going through after the gate was opened. But now I see it is as you described, and will take credit for being more brilliant than I am!)
Fabulous poem–great rhythm and mood.
Thanks, Pam–glad you liked it.
This is excellent!
Thanks, Heather–I appreciate it!
Love your poem, great story.. 🙂
Thank you Catherine!
Super de duper job of working with those 100 words. That last line says it all. Awesome. Your rhyme is delectable. 🙂
Thanks Robyn–and super de duper is my new favorite phrase.
Great imagery! Besides, there’s nothing wrong with an adult refreshment after that long journey and all those steps 🙂
Thanks Lauri–I didn’t really have an adult refreshment in mind but now that you mention it…
Here’s a finalist, that’s for sure! Fantastic!
I appreciate your confidence, Mike! (but I’ve read lots of strong entries–so who can tell. It’s fun to take a challenge in any case.)
This is so sweet!
Thank you, Julie!
I’d never have the nerve to go inside! Halloween has turned into a more adult party. Any excuse for a fun party.
Ha–I think you could find your courage and open that door Stacy!
Excellent work, Buffy! I’m so glad we are connecting through Susanna’s contest. I love to write in rhyme…and I think you do as well. This was a perfect little story…it has the feeling of Frog and Toad…for Halloween…and in rhyme. What could be better!!
I’m glad we connected too. And I loved your Halloween dance party!
Oh, I loved that. Perfect spooky shiver-up-the-spine feeling building throughout, and then, who knows what is waiting through that door!
Thanks Beth–glad you got the spooky shivers!
I’ve never seen a millipede curled up like that…cool!
The kids in cute costumes is a nice surprise…I was afraid it would be something truly scary 🙂
Millipedes curl like that when they’re disturbed (I admit it…I did the disturbing.)
Great rhyming story! And that millipede? Very creepy. *shivers*
Thank you Cathy–glad you liked my story and millipede!
Oh, wow, Buffy! This was fun from start to finish! I loved your poem (and totally pictured that they would walk into a kids halloween party even before the accompanying photo :)). I love that you illustrated your poem about a witch and ghost with a giant millipede 🙂 And I think you used your curmudgeonly voice to great effect! 🙂 Thanks so much for joining the Halloweensie high jinx and shenanigans! 🙂
Thanks, Susanna for the kind comments–and especially for your Halloweensie contest!
Buffy, some nice tension created here.
Thanks Joanna–and thanks for stopping by.
I was feeling scared of what we would find inside that door! The party table looks good with not so scary young people! Nicely done.
Glad that you were feeling frightened! And that you stopped by to read.
Oh, this is wonderful! Beautifully written. I love it! Well done, Buffy! 🙂
Thanks so much, Cheryl–I appreciate it.
Great job, Buffy! I enjoyed this very much. :0)
Glad you enjoyed it, Donna!
Love the sounds, especially:
They hear a cackle! A spooky shriek!
A dark door opens with a creak.
Thank you–cackle and spooky are great words for this contest!
Thanks, Penny. But I have to be honest–it wasn’t that quick. I had something that I started a while ago that the contest inspired me to finish and revise. (Well, I don’t know that it’s finished, but done enough that I’m willing to share.)
Ah! But I know of your talent from times past! I know what you can come up with in 36 hours ….March Madness! No matter the time frame…I love your poetry!
You’re making me blush, Penny–I appreciate it. (But really, I think your bat, hat, cat is a bit more masterful.)
I love it Buffy! What talent you have to come up with something so quickly! I’m a fan!
Love it. Witch and Ghost is spooky and fun.
Glad you enjoyed it, Ann. And I hope you’re enjoying this pre-Halloween week. It doesn’t quite feel like Halloween here in NC (high 60’s today; leaves still on the trees and just starting to color–not that I’m complaining!)