Halloween Haiku

a fun October poetry tradition

“Partners in Grief”, photo by me, 2018

I can’t remember how long ago the tradition started, but nearly every October, I sit down to pen a few “Halloween Haiku”. I started the tradition as part of the handwritten letters my best friend Mairi and I exchanged.

The 5-7-5 form of the poem lends itself well to capsulated thoughts of autumn and Halloween. To be honest, I got the idea mostly because of the alliteration. I don’t profess to be an amazing haiku writer, but it is a very fun poetry form! One thing I learned was that just because haiku poems are short, doesn’t mean that they are quick or easy to write!

I thought I’d share a few with you, though I can’t remember which ones I formally wrote down for my friend or which ones didn’t pass muster.

Three Halloween Haiku

By Sarah Spires

Stark rounded shadows

Skulls, angels and willows dance

Moonlight on the graves

Pregnant moon hangs low

Branches creaking in the wind

Moaning, groaning night

Trick or treaters laugh

Dancing swiftly down the path

Bellies full of sweets