! Halloween Tale Poem by Linda Ori

Remember old Ichabod, last name of Crane
The gangly schoolmaster - some thought him insane
He went to a party on All Hallows' Eve
What happened that night is still hard to believe;
A tale had been told of a spector of dread
A black suited horseman devoid of a head
A legend, they say, of a devilish spirit
Old Ichabod cringed - he did not want to hear it!
The night had grown late, it was time to go home
No one would be safe with the gouls on the roam,
The schoolmaster jumped on his trusty old steed
Toward home they set out on the trail that did lead
Through the dark spooky forest and over the bridge -
The moon scattered shadows up high on the ridge;
The wind began moaning, an owl hooted near
Old Ichabod cowered and tried not to hear,
Then suddenly hoofbeats - no rider he saw
Grew louder and closer - his nerves now were raw,
He kicked at his horse to make him run faster
This night was becoming a total disaster!
He raised up his head and was turning around
When a shriek tore the air - what a horrible sound!
And there right behind him a bone-chilling sight
The same headless horseman he'd heard of that night!
He spurred his horse onward, the bridge up ahead
And safety, it beckoned - his home and his bed
Now clattering hoofbeats on covered bridge rang
As over the river they flew - and he sang,
'Oh freedom, sweet freedom - I'm safe from the night! '

Then just as he stopped and was catching his breath
There appeared on the bridge the horseman of death!
And there in his hand held up high o'er his (missing) head
Was a firey pumpkin with eyes flashing red;
He hurled it swiftly toward rider and horse
The flaming inferno flew by with such force
Poor Ichabod ducked just in time as it crashed
Straight into the ground - it lay mangled and smashed;
And there on the bridge was the spector he feared
Holding his sword in the air - his horse reared
Then turned in an instant and took off in flight
Back over the bridge and rode into the night;
Old Ichabod stared off in stunned disbelief,
Took a deep shakey breath and then sighed with relief -
He'd survived an ordeal he shall never forget
For each year in October it's happening yet!