Halloween
is not my scene
coz fragility and fear
loiter daily here
illness, poverty and pollution
we need a realistic solution
why celebrate scary
life’s already hairy
can I transform anger and harm
ease my mind, become more calm
be completely equal to absolutely all
joyful kindness an instinctive call
moderate the candy
look dapper and dandy
let my skeletons escape
to lessen their impact and shape
appease my ghosts
so I might coast
through these last days of lockdown
prefer to emerge with a smile not a frown
next week we can fly overseas
but not interstate, it’s a tease
families and friends parted
no pollie or sport was martyred
boosters still under discussion
delays have drastic repercussion
massive unemployment
with military deployment
to issue huge fines
to those not towing lines
this poem seems to have digressed
as our current problems depress
you had a capital riot
our assault came stealthily quiet
senior PS punished for calling
this ‘medical apartheid’ is appalling
so as you celebrate communing with the dead
we will slowly creep from our isolation dread
inflation about to take off
housing and food prices a scoff
the gap a gnawing chasm
can we survive this spasm …
a “stream of consciousness” poem inspired by both Lisa and Ingrid’s prompts for d’Verse OLN, Linda
aroused 
Lovely shot but your poem is an exception, Kate. I think the celebration is a part of the consumer culture. The disparity among social classes has increased a lot in last two years but not sure ho wmany have started to noticed it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is what’s been in my mind lately Kate and you said it so well for me…i really am happy you put into poetry this idea..been meaning to write about it but can’t seem to find my way…and yay, there you go.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kate, I appreciate your “stream of consciousness” poem. The messages are real and genuine, much more so than these “playful” Halloween spirits. Compared with my childhood years, Halloween has become “big” business. What’s happened to the innocence of yesteryear?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve always thought that Halloween should be limited to smiling jack-o-lanterns and kids getting candy in their costumes. Who really wants to celebrate scary? And yes, our times are scary enough. The virus brought us many problems, and the lock downs brought even more. We’re going to be dealing with the aftermath of them for a long time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You took reality and turned it into a most sobering poem …. beautifully penned.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The picture of the waterfall is awesome and the poem was so truthful and a great rhyme, Kate. Time that comes and times that are changing and problems soaring day by day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think our present-day Halloween celebrations are a fun fantasy activity. Also, a time to laugh at our fears. People generally do not take seriously ghosts and monsters. The candy is an issue I dealt with when my children were young. I let them eat as much as they wanted for one day. Then I bought the rest from them and doled it out at school over a long period of time.
I couldn’t agree more, Kate, that we live in terrifying times with real problems to be addressed!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The times, they are a changing and not for the better I fear.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Celebrate instead
With sparkles and glulitter
Candlelight and gifts
Friendships, relationships
Stories around the fire
Laughter, love, spread those
One moment at a time
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! I like this one cuz it’s sunshine and sparkles:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Halloween in France is recent under the American influence. In France, do we celebrated All Saints’ Day on November 1st. It was a time of meditation of which your poem is an expression, Kate.
Love ❤
Michel
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is so ironic that we do have the same problems in various countries, which makes us individuals who do not know each other unite (unlike the governments).
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have been re reading this all day Kate, it’s just so profound.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is true horror in the current situation, and I fear it’s just the start, because our world ‘leaders’ are not taking the climate and biodiversity crisis at all seriously…
LikeLiked by 1 person
their pockets are being too well lined, it numbs their ability to think!
LikeLike
Many of us share your thoughts and feelings! Thank you for expressing them so well!
Your photo is stunningly beautiful! Just getting to observe a waterfall is so healing and smile-bringing! 🙂
(((HUGS))) ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, Kate, there’s a lot happening in this poem, and I appreciate all of it. Is awesome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful poem, Kate!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A great poem Kate It was interesting that you shared your riot was more subversive!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know your riot had those strongly for and against but it was in your face and couldn’t be missed … ours came on another level and most haven’t even noticed 😦
LikeLike
I’d do your lockdown if it would mean our cases would fall. But alas, we are a wild and wooly free for all. I hide in my place with unvaccinated and the coughing all in my face. I’ve masked and vaxxed and kept my distance and soon will be rolling up my sleeve to get my booster and feel relieved while I hope and pray that the pandemic goes away!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
ouch I feel for you Val … I just do what I need to do, life is always a risk 🙂
LikeLike
Very valid concerns Kate. Beautiful poem
LikeLiked by 2 people
It doesn’t make much sense, does it? I think we can all identify with your words. (K)
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes indeed Kate, celebrating Halloween under these present scary circumstances seems farcical at the moment, when our world seems to be one big rotting pumpkin …
LikeLiked by 3 people
Your poem is very engaging and I can relate to how scary some things are already in the world. That photo is beautiful and I liked the caption.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Love your poem Kate!
Its captivating! xo
LikeLiked by 1 person