Trick or Treat
a poem for Halloween
The box on the step draws them like flies
Little hands, skeletally white, reaching down.
‘It’s rubbishy chocolate,’ says John with a frown.
‘Never mind,’ says his mum, wiping mist dampened eyes
On her sleeve. ‘Mrs Goldstein will have a real treat.
You see. Either candies or fudge, all neatly wrapped.
Though take care or you’re sure to be trapped
In her sticky old web. She’s best in the street
For her tricks.’ The family holds hands as they hurry
Along, filling their pockets with teeth rotting gifts.
The mood won’t stay happy; there’s always a shift
As the cockroaches cackle and dirty rats scurry.
For what do you expect: this is Halloween.
It starts with a smile, and ends with a scream.
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About TanGental
My name is Geoff Le Pard. Once I was a lawyer; now I am a writer. I've published several books: a four book series following Harry Spittle as he grows from hapless student to hapless partner in a London law firm; four others in different genres; a book of poetry; four anthologies of short fiction; and a memoir of my mother. I have several more in the pipeline.
I have been blogging regularly since 2014, on topic as diverse as: poetry based on famous poems; memories from my life; my garden; my dog; a whole variety of short fiction; my attempts at baking and food; travel and the consequent disasters; theatre, film and book reviews; and the occasional thought piece. Mostly it is whatever takes my fancy.
I avoid politics, mostly, and religion, always. I don't mean to upset anyone but if I do, well, sorry and I suggest you go elsewhere.
These are my thoughts and no one else is to blame. If you want to nab anything I post, please acknowledge where it came from.
TanGental 
Much more a Dia de los Muertos photo. Love it. Did you dress up them bones?
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That’s Mrs L. She’s the artistic one
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Yaaay! You wrote a poem for Halloween! Love it! 😁
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Great poem for Halloween! I agree with Sarah – the “dolls” could be for the Dia de los Muertos – and very cleverly done!
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Great work, Geoff. I haven’t read one of your poems for a while. I love the dolls. Scary! Your final line appeals to me most. Ain’t that the truth!
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Thanks. Dolls are Linda’s and yes horrid in a good way
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Ooer, creepy and vg! Love the dolls – they are scary and beautifully made at the same time.
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All Linda’s work those dolls.
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And there was me thinking you’d never written poetry before!
A creepy piece of writing that sent shivers up my spine. Well done Mr Le Pard. I love the dolls. 🎃
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Dolls are Mrs LPs creation. She’s the talented one. And I do dabble with poetry but I really do have to be inspired by a theme or something.
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Great poem Geoff, and I love the creepy dollies! 🙂
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My wife at her most creative
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She is very talented. They are brilliant!
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Oh my, those dolls are really rather scary! Love the poem, especially the “teeth rotting gifts.” 🙂
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They are; my wife is doing a degree and one theme last year was the Day of the Dead and she made these babies… I’m touched you enjoyed the poem. I love the sonnet form; it could have been made for me!
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This is great. My kids are nagging to go trick or treating. Halloween is not really celebrated in NZ so it’s not something we’ve ever done before but I can’t find a way out of it.
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Love the poem love the photo….. which one is you??
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the handsome one of course!
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Well silly me!
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Love this, particularly the ending and those dolls!!
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Tanks Marje; the dolls come from my wife’s varied imagination!
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