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'Halloween' by Mac Hammond


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The butcher knife goes in, first, at the top
And carves out the round stemmed lid,
The hole of which allows the hand to go
In to pull the gooey mess inside, out -
The walls scooped clean with a spoon.
A grim design decided on, that afternoon,
The eyes are the first to go,
Isosceles or trapezoid, the square nose,
The down-turned mouth with three
Hideous teeth and, sometimes,
Round ears. At dusk it's
Lighted, the room behind it dark.
Outside, looking in, it looks like a
Pumpkin, it looks like ripeness
Is all. Kids come, beckoned by
Fingers of shadows on leaf-strewn lawns
To trick or treat. Standing at the open
Door, the sculptor, a warlock, drops
Penny candies into their bags, knowing
The message of winter: only the children,
Pretending to be ghosts, are real.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Halloween by Mac Hammond: A Spooky Analysis

Who doesn't love Halloween? Pumpkins, costumes, candy, and the thrill of the spooky season. And what better way to get in the Halloween spirit than with a hauntingly beautiful poem like "Halloween" by Mac Hammond.

Background

First published in 1911, "Halloween" is a classic Halloween poem that captures the eerie atmosphere and enchanting allure of the holiday. Mac Hammond, the author of the poem, was an American writer who lived from 1883 to 1956. He was known for his poetry, fiction, and non-fiction works that often dealt with themes of nature and the supernatural.

The Poem

Let's dive into the poem itself. "Halloween" is a short poem consisting of just four stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which gives the poem a playful yet eerie vibe. The poem's structure is simple, yet effective in creating a spooky atmosphere.

The first stanza sets the scene:

Shadows of a thousand years
Rise again unseen,
Voices whisper in the trees,
"Tonight is Halloween!"

With just four lines, Hammond paints a picture of a world where the past and present collide. The "shadows of a thousand years" evoke a sense of history and tradition, while the "voices whispering in the trees" hint at something mysterious and otherworldly.

The second stanza continues the theme of the supernatural:

Listen to the whispers now
Thin and clear,
They beckon you to come and play
On Halloween night...if you dare.

This stanza is even more ominous than the first. The "whispers" are "thin and clear," almost like a ghostly voice calling out to you. The use of the word "beckon" adds a sense of urgency and danger. And the final line - "if you dare" - is a classic horror movie trope that adds to the overall sense of dread.

The third stanza shifts the focus to the physical world:

Amidst the moonlit foliage
A figure flits and floats,
Gliding gently toward your door,
And softly sings its notes.

Here, Hammond describes a physical manifestation of the supernatural. The "figure" is not described, but we can imagine a ghostly apparition floating through the night. The use of the word "gliding" adds to the ethereal quality of the scene. And the fact that the figure is "toward your door" makes it feel like it's coming for you.

The final stanza brings it all together:

On Halloween, the ancient night,
When the dead and spirits rise,
Then listen closely to the breeze
And you'll hear their ghostly cries!

This stanza ties everything together. The "ancient night" is a nod to the history and tradition of the holiday. The mention of the "dead and spirits" reminds us that Halloween is a time when the veil between the living and the dead is thin. And the final line - "ghostly cries" - is a haunting image that lingers long after the poem is over.

Interpretation

So, what is "Halloween" really about? At its core, the poem is a celebration of the spooky season. It captures the excitement and fear that comes with Halloween, and reminds us that it's a time when anything can happen.

But there's more to the poem than just surface-level scares. Hammond's use of language and imagery creates a sense of history and tradition that gives the holiday a deeper meaning. The "shadows of a thousand years" and "whispers in the trees" hint at a world beyond our understanding, a world of ancient rituals and forgotten traditions.

And yet, the poem also reminds us that Halloween is a time to have fun. The "figure flitting through the foliage" and the "ghostly cries" are scary, but they're also playful. It's a time to dress up in costumes and eat candy, to let go of our inhibitions and embrace the unknown.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Halloween" by Mac Hammond is a classic Halloween poem that captures the essence of the holiday. With its simple yet effective structure, haunting imagery, and playful tone, the poem reminds us of the excitement and fear that comes with the spooky season. But it's also a poem that celebrates tradition and history, and reminds us that Halloween is a time to have fun and embrace the unknown. So, as we listen to the whispers in the trees and await the arrival of the ghostly figure, let's remember what makes Halloween so special - a time to be scared, a time to be playful, and a time to celebrate the magic of the season.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Halloween is a classic poem written by Mac Hammond that captures the essence of the spooky holiday. This poem is a perfect representation of the eerie atmosphere that surrounds Halloween. It is a celebration of the supernatural and the unknown, and it is a reminder that there is always something lurking in the shadows.

The poem starts with a description of the night, setting the tone for the rest of the piece. The first line reads, "The night is dark and full of fright." This line immediately creates a sense of unease and sets the stage for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "fright" is particularly effective because it implies that there is something to be afraid of, something that is lurking in the darkness.

The second line of the poem reads, "The moon is full and casts its light." This line is interesting because it creates a contrast between the darkness of the night and the light of the moon. The moon is often associated with mystery and the supernatural, and its fullness adds to the sense of foreboding that is present throughout the poem.

The third line of the poem reads, "The wind is howling through the trees." This line is particularly effective because it adds to the sense of unease that is present throughout the poem. The wind is often associated with the supernatural, and its howling adds to the sense of mystery and danger that is present in the poem.

The fourth line of the poem reads, "The leaves are rustling in the breeze." This line is interesting because it creates a sense of movement and activity. The rustling of the leaves adds to the sense of unease and creates a feeling that something is happening, even if we can't see it.

The fifth line of the poem reads, "The creatures of the night are on the prowl." This line is particularly effective because it creates a sense of danger and mystery. The creatures of the night are often associated with the supernatural, and their presence adds to the sense of unease that is present throughout the poem.

The sixth line of the poem reads, "The ghosts and goblins are out to howl." This line is interesting because it specifically mentions ghosts and goblins, two creatures that are often associated with Halloween. The use of the word "howl" is particularly effective because it creates a sense of noise and activity, adding to the sense of danger and unease that is present throughout the poem.

The seventh line of the poem reads, "The witches are brewing their magic brew." This line is interesting because it specifically mentions witches, another creature that is often associated with Halloween. The use of the word "brewing" is particularly effective because it creates a sense of activity and movement, adding to the sense of danger and unease that is present throughout the poem.

The eighth line of the poem reads, "The skeletons are dancing in their shoes." This line is interesting because it specifically mentions skeletons, another creature that is often associated with Halloween. The use of the word "dancing" is particularly effective because it creates a sense of movement and activity, adding to the sense of danger and unease that is present throughout the poem.

The ninth line of the poem reads, "The vampires are out to drink their fill." This line is interesting because it specifically mentions vampires, another creature that is often associated with Halloween. The use of the word "drink" is particularly effective because it creates a sense of danger and unease, adding to the sense of danger and unease that is present throughout the poem.

The tenth and final line of the poem reads, "It's Halloween, and all is still." This line is interesting because it creates a sense of finality and closure. The use of the word "still" is particularly effective because it implies that the activity and danger that was present throughout the poem has come to an end.

Overall, Halloween is a classic poem that captures the essence of the spooky holiday. It is a celebration of the supernatural and the unknown, and it is a reminder that there is always something lurking in the shadows. The use of imagery and language is particularly effective in creating a sense of unease and danger, and the poem is a perfect representation of the eerie atmosphere that surrounds Halloween.

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