Pumpkin Night
I dot the hills like orange eyes, tawny yellow hues firing up the wheat fields, in bright golden clusters: and I am called pumpkin. On October's last Thursday beneath golden autumn skies children gather 'round me, singing ghost songs and praise to the Hunter's Moon: and I am their bonfire. As the ghosts are made to gather and twilight falls fast, the children chanting ghostly hymns parade our hallowed out shells; my candle heart burning: and I am called Jack-a-lantern With my terrible teeth and glowing eyes frightening away goblins and ghouls, They place us, still burning, at every tombstone. and as they go into the Long Darkness, the dearly departed gather like moths around my guiding light: and I am their lantern. Samhainn Salt the doors and windows, Alight gourds with candles, Masks are mandatory—for Hallow's Eve is upon us All! Inside is where you must stay—the Neighbors are gathering tithes to Night.
About the Author Lauren Reynolds is a freelance demi-sexual writer, Librarian, Artist behind Wonder Fairy Boutique and part-time fairy queen who spends her days exploring the old woods and marshlands of her native Maryland looking for monsters, creating take-home portals to fairyland and spinning outrageous tales of faeries, pirates and evil queens. She currently lives in Maryland close to the beach with her best friend and is in a long standing hostage negotiation for control of her lap with two little dogs who are a disguised hellhound and dowager princess. She is a self-proclaimed mythology nut, anime junky and monster lover.
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