Goblins on the doorstep,
phantoms in the air,
owls on witches' gateposts
giving stare for stare,
cats on flying broomsticks,
bats against the moon,
stirrings round of fate-cakes
with a polemn spoon.
Whirling apple parings,
figures draped in sheets,
dodging, disappearing,
up and down the streets,
jack-o'-lanterns grinning,
shadows on a screen,
shrieks and starts and laughter
this is Halloween !

(Dorothy Brown Thompson)