Persi the black Cat prowls

The widow spider sits in her

tangled web

‘Come come…share my prey  if you are brave,

Hubble Bubble Trouble is ahead,’

she said.

With Pumpkins alight

Green Witches on brooms

Crossing the sky,

To cast their spells of doom and gloom

Be afraid be very afraid.

Bababu on the other side of the moon
wishing to save us earthlings
Children’s haunted faces
crying out

‘We love you Bababu
Please don’t die.’

But Luck is on our side
On this
Ghostly, Halloween night.

My childhood memory of an Irish Halloween:-

My father arrived home with crunchy apples, oranges and walnuts in their shells all wrapped up in brown paper bags.

My mother baking a fruity Halloween Brack filled with silver coins and a gold ring. Impatiently we wait, excited- would we find the ring or a coin in our slice of brack, smothered in creamy Irish butter?

My three sisters and I, wearing our scary masks, disappointed we were not allowed out on the street to join the other children of Trick or Treating.  We jumped when there was rat ta tats at the door. Scary shadowy figures stood in the moonlight night as we handed over sweets and oranges for them to eat.

My father filled a large basin with water, ready to  play the ‘The Apple Bobbing Game.’ We wore blindfolds. Dad led us, in turn, to dip our faces into the cold water. 

Our Aim;  to bite and pick up one of the apples.

Hurrah, as Dad gifted the winner with a silver coin. We wanted to play the game, over and over but my parents insisted it was way past our bedtime. The Ghosts of Halloween were watching ready to haunt us if we did not get to sleep soon, they both said.  And there was school the following day. With moans of ‘it isn’t fair’… reluctantly bade mum and dad goodnight. Later we dreamt of rings and coins and how we might celebrate the following year.

What is your childhood memory of Halloween? How do you celebrate? 

Leave a Reply in the comment box below. Thank you