From the Children’s Friend, October 1944 –

By Harvey Peake

Jack-o’-lanterns in the yard,
Look up at us, blinking hard.
Low-hung moon, like evil eye,
Creeping through a star-filled sky.
Hump-backed witches, everywhere,
Riding through the evening air,
Ghostly trees that once were green –
This is Halloween.

Bats and goblins haunt the gloom
Of the candle-lighted room.
Mirrors showing spooks and things,
Wearing pointed hats with strings,
Apple peelings tossed about,
Muffled laughter, stifled shout.
Skeletons and skulls are seen –
This is Halloween.

Pop-corn, nuts and pumpkin-pie,
Cider in a glass held high,
Ginger-bread and doughnuts too,
Ripened fruit of every hue,
White marshmallows turning brown
Over fires burning down,
Most of these are felt or seen –
This is Halloween