Thats kinda what happened when I wrote this poem. I started it months ago when I was reading Crane, went back to it when I was reading Poe, and finished it while reading Burns.
The Crane language is still somewhat there, so to is the Poe influence, and every time I swear off the Braid-Scots something like this seems to channel itself on through.
Samhainn:
gaunt,
sooted figures
knick knock, knick knock!
tangled limbs
a motioning mass
knick knock, knick knock!
some pallid,
and in strange postures
knick knock, knick knock!
some for the Charnel house
squalling and squawking
knick knock, knick knock!
the tangled limbs
unravel feverishly
knick knock, knick knock!
twisting their fists
in tired eye sockets
knick knock, knick knock!
laggard and blind
the unfortunates rail
knick knock, knick knock!
others play mawbles
and wag thair tails
knick knock, knick knock!
the Listener awakens
from her long dirt nap
knick knock, step back
Open-up Auntie!
Tis batterin' door nicht!
knick knock, We'r bak!
Open-up Auntie!
We'v cum for oor candies!
knick knock, knick knock!
the Listener rises
approaches the door
knick knock, knick knock!
A'm cumin mae pritys
ar ye bak for so-moor?
knick knock, knick knock!
soory Ayam mae weens
bot ye've pickit mae cleen
knick knock, knick knock!
Aa A've got left
is 6 feet o 'ert
knick knock, knick knock!
yae an mae booth
atween…
knick knock, knick knock!
knick knock, knick knock!
knick-
obeedude 17-18/Oct/07
As it is set in the Celtic culture and not 20th century America as it originally started out, the Celtic title seemed more appropriate. It also doesn't give too much away right off. I liked the way it seemed to start out Trick-or-Treat and instead turned Ghost Story while I was writing it. Hope you did too. It sounds better out load. The Knick-knock battering on the door sound, that is actually scratching on the inside of the coffin, works best this way.
Happy Hallaleen!
