‘Twas All Hallows’ Eve once again

But not a sound outside could be heard

Not a bark from a neighbourhood dog

Nor a squawk from a startled blackbird.

🎃

No chatter from excited children

As they wandered the dark and friendless streets

No excited laughter and squeals

As they were given more sugary treats.

🎃

Roads were eerily deserted

Doors were firmly closed

Carved pumpkins were all demoted

And skeletons were cruelly deposed.

🎃

For a new danger lurked all around

Everyone had to be aware

Times, they were a-changing

Tonight was a very peculiar affair.

🎃

No scary clowns on pavements

No grim reapers knocking at doors

No witches cackling on broomsticks

No zombies covered in repulsive sores.

🎃

Children all hid behind curtains

Reprimanded if they uttered a noise

Costumes hung unused in cupboards

Amongst the unloved and discarded toys.

🎃

No apples waiting to be bobbed

No scary stories waiting to be told

No horror films waiting to be watched

For those feeling particularly bold.

🎃

‘Twas All Hallows’ Eve once again

And nowhere could a child be seen

For a new danger lurked all around

And it’s name was COVID-19.

🎃

I wrote this for EIF Hallowe’en Special. The ten year old in me thinks poems should always rhyme, probably because the forty-six year old me can’t even remember studying poetry at school. But it’s half term, I’ve slightly more time on my hands so I thought I’d give it a go! 🎃👻