A Halloween Story
Mon, October 31, 2011 Yorkshire moors, late October
lone cyclist, breathing hard
Drawing in the cold night air
up ahead a dim light flickers.
Wondering what the light could be
for all the world looks like a flame.
Descending now and closing fast
a coach and horses, team of four.
Not a sound from coach and team
tries to reason, must be real.
Reaches out and grabs a hold
coasting now, being towed.
Two oil lamps, one each side
bright when fanned by evening breeze.
Cyclist wonders, eyes play tricks
decides to stop and wait a while.
Feet on ground, astride his bike
blows on fingers growing cold.
Watching light not far ahead
cyclist ponders on his options.
Night air freezing, must ride on
in minutes he’d caught up again.
Rides beside the ambling coach
should he pass or stay behind?
Eyes straining in the dark
looking up to see who’s driving.
Coachman outlined, moonlit sky
cyclist can’t believe his eyes.
A shiver runs, not from cold
a headless coachman driving team.
Cyclist slows, dropping back
trying hard to think things through.
Must keep moving, growing cold
he’ll stay behind and wait his chance.
Road widens up ahead
changes up to higher gear.
Out of saddle, sprinting hard
slight downhill assists his speed.
Flashes by the apparition
startled horses rear in fright.
Cyclist feels the biting pain
of horsewhip slashing 'cross his back
Silence gone, now the sound
of thundering hooves and cracking whip.
Cyclist riding for his life
uphill climb, lungs are bursting.
Coach is gaining, muscles burning
as he crests the final climb.
Down below the lights of home
shining in the misty night.
Cyclist spinning, highest gear
flashes past the first street lamp.
Listens now but hears no sound
turns to find the coach is gone.
Home again, bike inside
stumbles as he climbs the stairs.
Morning light, he awakes
lays there thinking of his dream.
Bathroom mirror, turns to look
a bright red weal across his back.
This story was first posted Halloween 2007. My redership was much smaller then and many may not have read this before
Reader Comments (3)
Growing up in London, England as a kid in the 1950s, I don't really remember much about Halloween. I found it was a much bigger thing in North America. In the UK, Guy Fawkes Day on November 5 was huge, though. We looked forward to blowing things up and burning things down all year. Instead of kids dressing up and going from door to door begging for candy, they would wheel an effigy of Guy Fawkes through the streets, begging for money to buy fireworks.
The same with me in the 50s in the Midlands Brum, Never heard of Halloween! The 5th of November was the one we looked forward to. The smell of the fireworks and the open fire, Cold Cold Cold get by the fire to warn up,Had my wollies on! Lots of fun.
Very cool. Love ghost stories. But Chasing Charlie has to be one of my all time favorites.