The Power of Hallowe’en
Do not think me insensitive to thy plight,
The hour cometh that cannot be delayed,
Nor can it be forestalled, I would save
Thee from the night to come if I could,
But I cannot. The time of year is not lost
On me, nor is the sensation of dread
Attendant upon the approaching sunset.
Moonrise will see much fear amongst the
Young and the old, few if any will escape
The eyes that watch from the shadows, the
Fingers that reach out into the night, and the
Cloaked figures that loom large in wait of
Those foolish enough to stray where light
Is scarce and worry lurks in breathless
Anticipation; for this is Hallowe’en.
Oh fiddlesticks to such thoughts… for
There were none in the heart of Patricia,
A happy witch who, on this occasion, had
Set her heart on securing the attentions of
The one she loved with all her heart, and
What better time to improve the fortunes
Of her bottom drawer than Hallowe’en;
When at her disposal where the means by
Witch the compass of love and desire in
Another, might be conveniently swung in
Her direction.
Sunrise on the 31st found Patricia in the
Happiest of minds, out early she visited
Little known shops, in little known places,
Some situated in the woods, others hidden
Away behind waterfalls, whereupon a tap
On a door with the tip of an umbrella gave
Rise to a whispered ‘come in, you’re Very
Welcome.’
Here were the shelves that held precisely what
Patricia was looking for, and from where she
Carefully selected the necessary ribbons and
Spell-ready ingredients with witch to prepare
A delicious irresistible philtre, a love potion,
The key to a man’s heart, a witches cocktail, that
When sipped by the man it was made for, would
Turn an already exciting night into a celebration
Like no other before.
Clearly, there is a much more to Hallowe’en
Than darkness would seek to conceal, and as
A worried moon peered over the horizon, one
Might be tempted to ask ‘Did the philtre work?
Was it as effective as Patricia hoped it would be?
Well yes, of course it worked, all magic works,
Especially at this time of year; one sip and he
Was hers before the cup left his lips, but then
Patricia already knew what the outcome would
Be, never for one moment doubting the power
Of magic, nor for that matter, the power of
Hallowe’en.
© Joseph G Dawson
