Inspired by my 4 year old daughter's consistent notice of "scary trees." And of course, the season upon us. It helped her overcome her fears, believe it or not.

THE SCARY TREE

Behind my house a gentle hill
Beyond that a field untilled
The scary tree
Sits all alone
A fright for me
I've never known

Beneath it's branches
Knots and twirls
A retched stinch
My chills unfurl
It beckons me
Conjuring a visceral curl

Surrounded by weeds and thicket
A lone grave sits betwixt it
RIP upon the stone
Here beneath lays a man unknown
It calls for me
To leave my home

I close my eyes
Speak my wishes
My heart is beating all the more
While I trample towards the scary tree
I should go home
And lock the door

Above my head
A vulture circles
Below my feet
Dead grass and thistles
I'm closer now
so close to hear it's windy swishes

A full moon within the sky
A coyote's howl
a wolf's lone cry
No more feet before have I
but inches now below the sky
I am within it's quiet cry

My curiosity may be
The death of me, we shall see
Upon it's back I spy
A cat so black
with bright red eye
Has crossed my path

A whisper voice
Enticing me
A single dove
That will not flee
Sits up top
The scary tree

I can not see
Beyond the scary tree
No light exists
Just black of night
I can not resist
The enchanting fright

A gentle calm
Embracing me
As I sit beside
No more I have need
As I rest my back upon
The scary tree