Out from the black
comes what you don’t know–
it creeps up your back
from far far below.
The path disappears,
surrounds you with sound
that gathers your fears
and swirls them around.
And what you can’t see
appears everywhere–
like skeleton trees
that rattle the air.
Spirits emerge
from under night’s mask–
currents that surge
and greet you unasked.
Nowhere to go
but further inside–
the dark starts to glow–
there’s nowhere to hide.
A little pre-Halloween fun via the dVerse prompt from Amaya for a children’s verse inspired by a quote from Franz Kafka (see title).
My older daughter’s favorite fairly tale was “Hansel and Gretel”. I read her endless versions. Children have always been attracted to the dark.
K. 
Scary enough for Halloween. What I see in your Rorshach: one person pointing at the sky and telling another person about it, while a small head peeps around the listener. Such pretty color combination!
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Thanks Jade. Halloween has universal appeal for good reasons.
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You’re welcome. It’s definitely my favorite holiday.
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This is a great Kafka-Grimm mash-up, Kerfe. I’ve been a fan of Hansel and Gretel all my long life. When I was teaching, I took a group of pupils to the Humperdinck opera and they loved it. I especially love the ‘skeleton trees that rattle the air’ and the illustration – the colours fit perfectly..
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Thanks Kim. Children know much more than we credit them for.
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I especially liked this part: “And what you can’t see
appears everywhere–” Nowhere to hide. I like the bright yellow against the dark background in the bottom watercolor or painting.
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Thanks Frank. Fear appears in many ways.
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You don’t need to say more then ‘what you don’t know’. Children understand what is most to be feared.
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They do. Thanks Jane.
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That image hints at many spectres coming out of the dark. Really interesting, Kerfe. The last verse is a perfect ending. There’s nothing to fear, but fear itself. Great Hallowe’en fun. 🙂
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Thanks Olga. I did have fun with this one.
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I can hear this told in a cackling voice on Halloween.
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Sound effects! thanks Ken.
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I think kids love the grim and dark more than the sweet and soft… to go into Halloween horror and darkness was a great choice.
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Thanks Bjorn…I think you’re right!
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Ooh, right out of Scary Stories to tell in the dark. I imagine an animated storyteller really giving the kids a scare! I like the unique eeriness of the dark starting to glow. Oh, and the paintings added another layer of haunted subjects.
(Sorry if this posts more than once. We’re driving through the mountains and I keep trying to send this comment with spotty reception.)
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Thanks. This was a great prompt.
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