The Grand Illusion by Maggie Pena I’m sitting alone in the corner of a room- darkness all around, but light above- from somewhere it comes, that little bit, from somewhere unseen, the light emits. It must, and so I’m sitting alone in the corner of a dark room with the edges of the white walls pinching together over my head like a squinting eye It stares right down … [Read more...] about The Grand Illusion by Maggie Pena
Halloween Poems
On Cooking Krakens by Julie Irigaray
On Cooking Krakens by Julie Irigaray The stalls of Italian markets display four different types of octopus and five sizes of squids with glassy eyes – piteous nautilus from Hokusai’s erotica. I learned with practice how to extract their entrails without piercing the ink sac, how to cut the cuttlefish’s mantle to get the pen, proud gladius raised against me. I … [Read more...] about On Cooking Krakens by Julie Irigaray
The Vampire and the Ball by Rebecca L. Snowe
The Vampire and the Ball by Rebecca L. Snowe Dresses, jewels, mirrors, chandelier. A human’s ball is a vampire’s feast. But first a victim to find, One who is young and fresh. He sees her across the room, Skin like ivory, hair like gold. Introductions are made, A dance requested. Her smile is hypnotizing, Her eyes so blue. But her neck is what attracts … [Read more...] about The Vampire and the Ball by Rebecca L. Snowe
Hallowe’en by Joel Benton (1896)
Hallowe'en by Joel Benton (1896) Pixie, kobold, elf, and sprite All are on their rounds to-night, In the wan moon's silver ray Thrives their helter-skelter play. Fond of cellar, barn, or stack True unto the almanac, They present to credulous eyes Strange hobgoblin mysteries. Cabbage-stumps straws wet with dew Apple-skins, and chestnuts too, And a mirror for some … [Read more...] about Hallowe’en by Joel Benton (1896)
Hallowe’en by A. F. Murray
Hallowe'en by A. F. Murray (First appeared in Harper's Weekly) A gypsy flame is on the hearth, Sign of this carnival of mirth. Through the dun fields and from the glade Flash merry folk in masquerade It is the witching Hallowe'en. Pale tapers glimmer in the sky, The dead and dying leaves go by; Dimly across the faded green Strange shadows, stranger shades, are … [Read more...] about Hallowe’en by A. F. Murray