Goblins on the doorstep,
Phantoms in the air,
Owls on witches’ gate posts,
Giving stare for stare.
Cats on flying broomsticks,
Bats against the moon,
Stirring round of fate-cakes,
With a solemn spoon.
Whirling apple parings,
Figures draped in sheets,
Dodging, disappearing,
Up and down the streets.
Jack-o’-lanterns grinning,
Shadows on a screen,
Shrieks and starts and laughter -
This is Halloween!
- Dorothy Brown Thompson
