Ballad
Ballad Of October Wind
The October Wind blows over a sunburnt land. Hot wind, on Halloween, weaving through hoop-pine stands, Under watch of the golden, burning setting sun And down a street lined with tall swaying spotted gums. There, young mums with hands raised shield their eyes from the glare As they shepherd hoards of children trick-or-treating. Pirates. Princesses. Laughter fills the evening air, While little red devils march with sickles beating. Wind passes, tugging reaper robes and fairy hair On its way into the trees, wild, ever seeking: Shaking talon shaped leaves on the tall iron barks Where brown possums skitter and kookaburras laugh, As on the wind little Leaf-Litter Moths take flight Toward a bustling house that shines with golden light. A gust. A rustle, and the wind slips in the door To a humid pounding music menagerie: Vampire’s sleek black coat and red cloak of matador Flashing; creatures, costumes, bare flesh and body heat. A churning sea of sweating swaying people all Talking, shouting, dancing to the wild thumping beat. The wind slips out to where they sip on alcohol, Coloured bottles like idols on their pedestal, Munching chicken chips and fairy bread cut like ghosts On the porch watching a mass of storm clouds approach. Black clouds, hot on Halloween, roiling in the night. Drumming rain closing fast along with lightning’s light. Iron barks and gums in stormy gusts are shaken As the watching partiers and wind escape within. Inside cacophony! Music, thunder’s rumble! The mass of dancers weave like thrashing leaves outside. In haze of heat and drink: inhibitions crumble, The smell of sweat and spirits, bodies intertwined, The wind on panted breath, jolly drunken stumbles, Debauchery in costume, an hour passes by. Storm and party hit their wild peak then start to fade; Wind and people stream out to watch the drizzling rain Which falls in straight lines through the cool air of post storm, And sprinkles cold upon their coloured costumed forms. Moonlight through fractured clouds, people slowly scatter. The wind wades into the night now shining starry, Wending its way to the rain’s soft pitter-patter Amidst the croaking frogs and fading reverie. Through distant underbrush damp wallabies clatter As haze of storm and party melt to memory. The October Wind blows over storm-soaked country. Cool wind, on Halloween, weaving ‘tween dripping trees, Blowing and blowing under watch of glowing moon, Past all the joy October brings, and gone too soon.
By I. D. Reeves19 days ago in Poets
Áine at Lough Gur
Introduction This is my twenty-seventh piece inspired by Justine G. Cappelli's beautiful and inspirational artwork. I love that Justine always gives the full story behind the painting, which gives me more than just the painting to work from.
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred 21 days ago in Poets
My Pain. Content Warning.
I felt your rain upon my face as it trinkled down my throat. I danced in rain all about your place; squished it between my toes, accepting the cleansing restoration, return of all lost hope, peeling back the layered sands as the lands still flood below. lifting worship, I praise your name, cause your strength is how I cope. A gift to all of God's creation, let Jesus steer your boat. He calms the seas. He brings you rain. He will keep you afloat. He has the keys to break all the chains; to Him I shall devote. He loved us then, as He loves us now; restores all whom are broke. He is our peace. Oh! Hear how He cries. . please. Don't get trapped within the smoke. Everly patient, graciously waiting, Jesus Christ come quickly you alone are our only hope!
By Dina Evans 21 days ago in Poets
Take a Whiff of October. Top Story - October 2026.
It’s the smell that hits you first Something charred, something burnt Pumpkin spiced alcohol Party kids getting turnt The township of October Has many alleys, many corners Every nook and every cranny Has a different weeping mourner
By Stephen Kramer Avitabile22 days ago in Poets
