It's time for the spooky season to rise from creative minds thanks to
Jone Rush MacCulloch and her Spooky Spectacular Found Poems
original digital art by CVarsalona
Early this month, Jone sent an invitation to her found poem spectacular palooza, spooky version. Those interested needed to choose a favorite horror or scary book, poem, or story to read. I found a very weird short story, Ashes, by C. M. Eddy, Jr. with HP Lovecraft to get me in the mood to write. I also read a short newspaper clip about the strange Halloween storm that devastated Long Island, NY's beach areas and nearby inland towns. Perhaps you have heard of Superstorm Sandy and its after-effects. My family spent 14 days without hot water, heat, or electricity. Schools :were closed. Food was scarce. Old, huge trees crashed through homes and houses near the water were destroyed. It was a monster of a storm that led to the name "Frankenstorm".
Media Article
In the days leading up to Oct. 29, 2012, Long Islanders were warned of “a once-in-a-lifetime storm” hurtling toward the Northeast. It was called “Frankenstorm” for both its timing right before Halloween and the mash up of weather elements expected to worsen its impact. People were urged to prepare for punishing rain and high winds as well as flooding made worse by the full moon.
Sandy made landfall in New Jersey around 8 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 29. That morning, Long Islanders awoke to states of emergency already declared in most Long Island towns, 100 people already in Red Cross shelters, and 400 members of the National Guard activated...
Bewildered Befuddled!
By Frankenstorm
Truth Be Told
Warning,
Horror wrought!
Frackenstorm strikes.
Full moon effects unfold.
Halloween mashup of
Howling winds and
Unprecedented, punishing rains
Haunt the region in a
Path of destruction.
Beware!
©CVarsalona, 2023
I'm returning back to a list of words that piqued my interest for the macabre from the short story, Ashes. The Poetry Princesses have a new challenge, Bouts-rimes, which in French means "rhymed ends". I am modifying the poetry challenge to work solo rather than with a partner. I chose a set of words from the short story and added 7 rhyming words to attempt to write a poem around the gruesome tale. The words chosen are: chill, devilish, will, wish, frantic, ashes, panic, rashes, horror, tortured, disorder, cornered, terror. I infused the Poetry Sisters' 2023 theme of Transformation into my digital to illustrate what happens when my inner Halloween love turns me from a human into a gothic character. Now, I am debating what I shall wear to the Halloween costume party.
Before I create a new costume for the Halloween party, I am joining the Poetry Friday community for more poetic fun. Carol Labuzzetta is our host this week at The Apples In My Orchard. As an enviromental educational specialist she is sharing information on bats. Did you know that "We need bats! They are important to us for insect control and pollination of several popular like bananas. Carol also offers a final invitation to join her Ekphrastic Nature Poetry Anthology filled with poetry goodness. It is going to be frantastic.
Carol, wonderfully spooky imagery! I remember that storm. It snowed before the leaves had fallen off the trees, and you could hear the weight of the snow-covered leaves causing the tree limbs to CRACK in the night! It was a truly eerie evening (followed by nine days without power).
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tracey. Superstorm Sandy was another one of nature's upheavals. Where do you live? NYC???
DeleteCarol, such tension and suspense in your poem! Well done! Hope your alter-ego gets to enjoy the betwitching night!
ReplyDeletePatricia, I most certainly enjoyed the Costume Party. If you check out my Halloween post you will see an interesting photo of the family. https://beyondliteracylink.blogspot.com/2023/10/spooky-season-found-poem-challenge.html I also had a great night with the little grands on Halloween. It was a double treat.
DeleteI love how you chose your rhymes so you could do a one-person bouts rime AND participate in Jone's challenge! Your poem is consistently terrifying all the way through! YIKES! What a nightmare!
ReplyDeleteMary Lee, I have had a series of nightmares but last night's was a complete blank when I awoke. I have another blog post about Halloween https://beyondliteracylink.blogspot.com/2023/10/spooky-season-found-poem-challenge.html. I hope Halloween was fun for you.
DeleteOoh, My body stings in rashes. That is horrifying and perfect, Carol. I remember Sandy so well, even though I'm nowhere near northeast. It was so odd to hear of a huge storm in your region. I just always kind of assumed the northeast was somewhat immune to all but Nor'easters and huge blizzards. Thanks for sharing both these poems this week, and I hope your Halloween party (and costume) is lots of fun!
ReplyDeleteHalloween was celebrated with my little grandgirls-so much fun trick/treating with them. The costumed party was delightful. So many costumed characters made the evening. Happy November to you.
DeleteFrankenstorm has left a lifelong memory for so many people. You have captured the horror it brought. Your second Bouts-Rimés poem was spine tingling. "I'm caged in a world of disorder" Yikes!
ReplyDeleteHappy Halloween, Denise. I am creating new Halloween digitals for my slice of life. Hope to see you at that site.
DeleteCarol, You are always so cheerfully creative! I like your Bouts-Rimes poem, especially the line "Creature with a strange booish will" - My family always says I'm weird or strange! I take it as a compliment! Thanks for getting us all ready for the Halloween Holiday!
ReplyDeleteCarol, being weird or strange is fun when all for enjoyment. My house is ready for Halloween and this year the little grands are not in school midweek so they will celebrate with post-Halloween treats at my house.
DeleteIt doesn't seem that long ago that "Frankenstorm" or Superstorm Sandy happened. What an awful time for you and everyone. Your writing that challenge of the Bouts-Rime is frightful & terrific. "Enter If You Dare" begins the shivers! Happy Halloween!
ReplyDeleteLong Islanders cannot forget the 911 horror and the ravages of Superstorm Sandy. Thanks for your comments. I just love Halloween and this year we are not only trick or treating in the cold with the little grandgirls but they are staying over for two days (school is closed).
DeleteI love how you used the name of the storm as the "author" of the poem, Carol!
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining me here, Anastasia. I am ready for Halloween.
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