Trick’r Treat

 

It’s nightfall
the darkness now descends
the hand of grief extends
terror is knocking at the door

it’s nightfall
words of horror stain my lips
sweetness slips through my fingertips
and scatters ‘cross the floor

it’s nightfall
the shadows stoke my fears
a voice of dread rings in my ears
I am broken evermore

it’s nightfall
dark waves of misery
are rising like the sea
I am stranded on the shore

it’s nightfall
would I were alone
confusion grips me to the bone
horror chills me to my core

it’s nightfall
again you call my name
I’m about to go insane
I just can’t take it anymore

it’s nightfall
“yes dear! I can hear you”
your nagging drives me crazy
so tired of your calling me lazy

it’s nightfall
“certainly dear! I know your feet are sore
I’ll pick the candy up off the floor
I’m happy to answer the” g’damned “door!”

it’s nightfall
before the sun rises tomorrow
I’ll end my pain and sorrow
going to end that nagging

forevermore!
 

*
rob kistner © 2021

Poetry at: dVerse

 

~ SHORT VERSION ~

~ NIGHTMARE ON MY STREET ~

~ FULL VERSION ~

34 thoughts on “Trick’r Treat”

  1. My goodness this is good! The chilliness that threatens to seep into the bones around this time is so palpable here. I especially like; “it’s nightfall/words of horror stain my lips/sweetness slips through my fingertips/and scatters ‘cross the floor.” 🙂

  2. Incredible. I don’t know the form, but your lines become hypnotic, which is a perfect set-up for your edgy twist ending. Perhaps you had too much fun with this one; not.

    1. Don’t know what the form might be Glenn, I was just going for an EA Poe feeling. I left several vague hints in the earlier verses to tie into the ending. Glad you liked it bros… 🙂

  3. Rob, I got a real good chuckle out of this one. You wrote this so well and then your delicious twist at the end. “sweetness slips through my fingertips” seems so innocent at first and then… the horror! lol

  4. Well, what witty fun that was. When my children were small, our street thronged with little witches and goblins and I enjoyed every minute. Now I live in an over-55 community and it’s a very quiet night!!

  5. Hahaha – I didn’t see the ending coming! And we can all laugh, but nagging can become pretty abusive. It’s another trait that may feel good to the nagger for a while, but in the end only does harm.

    1. Anything can be taken the the extreme Ingrid, even to the cruel. I do not like nagging, the only poor trait to which my wife is occasionally drawn. I think that’s why I find it so off putting. I appreciate that you grasp the gist of my work. Thank you friend.

  6. Chuckle, chuckle //// the end took me by surprise, a tasty treat for Halloween season. {I am broken evermore} is a great line.

  7. Halloween is not a public event here in Trinidad and Tobago, though we have our compendium of folk tales and characters. However there has been talk over the years of those ofvthe younger generation holding Halloween parties( pre covid 19 of course)
    Luv your repeting phrase and rhyming, the sweetness, frustration and dark twist to end.
    Happy you dropped by my blog

    Much love…

  8. Love how the repetition reflects the incessant nagging , and the unexpected chilling last word ‘forevermore’. ????????

  9. wonderful twist and the form, the way you’ve used the rhyme and close to the same meter throughout definitely works and most definitely gives this a “Poe-sque” feeling. I thought pretty much your ending was going to be what it was, but I did have to wait to the absolute minute to be 100% sure, so kudos for that. Great tension build-up …. and yup, nagging can be such a drag – whether on the receiving or giving end – …

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