A poem inspired by a neighbor’s decorations
I happened to glimpse them, in a ring
Holding hands, a curious thing
In the darkness, dancing there
Diaphanous beings, light as air
Small faces in gossamer veiling
Wispy arms fluttering, flailing
Maybe in mischief, maybe in glee
Luminous little spirits set free
…hallowed revenants of you and me,
The children that we used to be.
*******
Just a little offering (shades of October? A bit of Octo-plasm?) for Poetry Friday.
Special thanks to Janice Scully at Salt City Verse for hosting the Roundup.
lit bits and pieces 
Fantastic! Whimsical yet haunting in just the right degree. Last line is perfect. Thank you!
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So glad you think so, Jama – thank you!
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Wonderful! I love the ending ” . . .hallowed revenants of you and me/ the children that we used to be.” Our neighbors used to also create a circle of ghosts on their lawn, but this one is really special.
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Thanks so much, Janice, for your words and for hosting today. These ghosts are so like children when the breeze blows – their “arms” wave up and down in rhythmic play.
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Yes, that ending takes us in a new and curious direction! Fun poem and photo, Fran. (“Octoplasm,” ha!)
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Thank you for reading my bit of Octo-plasm, Tabatha!
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This is gorgeous, Fran, and especially lovely since it was inspired by your neighbor’s performing ghosts. You had a prime seat! Love the rhythm and that special ending!
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In the breeze, the little ghosts’ arms wave up & down, just as if they’re having a grand ol’ time, playing or dancing. Thank you, Linda.
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Oh, that ending line! It’s perfect. As always, you’ve nailed the rhythm and rhyme. You also taught me a new word “revenant” and used it so creatively here. Well done!
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Thank you so much Molly; I hoped the last line would work for others!
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Oh my goodness, I loved this so much! A perfect amount of “Octo-plasm” 🙂
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I am so glad to know you enjoyed my lyrical bit of Octo-plasm. Thank you, Rebecca!
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Fran, sometimes are minds work silently in independent thought but together in spirit. I have been working on a septercet using the words specters, tomb, and cemetery. The picture prompt is a group of specters holding hands in a circle with robes waving in the wind. Sounds familiar. I enjoyed your poem with these images in particular: Diaphanous beings, Luminous little spirits, and hallowed revenants.” My poem does not include those words so I found a compare and contrast. Stay tuned for this edition of #Poemtober.
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Too fun, how in sync we can be, Carol! I can’t wait to see that edition and your work. I’ll be watching for it. 🎃
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Nicely written…it’s such a light poem that looks easy. But, getting all the rhyme and meter right takes some work. And, you’ve done such a beautiful job. These ghosts dancing in a circle are delightful, not scary–such a great poem to “lift our spirits” these days.
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“Lift our spirits”-! Too good. And thank you so much, Linda.
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“hallowed revenants”! This is a very welcome bit of atmospheric Octoplasm…haunting, as it should be.
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I love the way you play with words, and I hope you are very proud of your ending.
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I so appreciate your response, Ruth! I felt that ending had to be.
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Oh my, how I love this! Those last two lines! Brilliant.
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Oooh, love your poem (that ending!!!) and those dancing ghosts, Fran! So very Danse Macabre. I did a post about Danse Macabre several years ago. It’s here if you’d like to take a look: https://michellehbarnes.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-other-danse-macabre.html
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Thank you so much, Michelle – and I love your Danse Macabre post.
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Wonderful traveling poem that takes us back to our childhood in a spooktacular way, thanks Fran!
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