The following piece was an entry for our Halloween Writing social media campaign where we asked OU students to write 1000 words on anything scary or horror related to help get us all into the Halloween spirit. 

Funereal drapes, grey shadow fingers,

faded velvet hangs;

single candle streaks the blackened room.

The alcove portrait scowls, 

surveys the gathered family,

they eat cake.

Boy puts crumbed hands to face;

the portrait stares from wrathful eyes.

Boy wishes for warmth away from the glare,

the daggers of the portrait.

No one else sees.

Uncle picks up the folio below the portrait;

opens it; 

lines mirror down the sides of his mouth.

Matching eyes,

identical scowl.

The boy views the face he will become:

same frown, same beetling brows, 

same shock of black hair.

Same birthday.

Samhain.

Polly Stretton © 2020