  Horror/Scary
This week: Edited by: Kate - Writing & Reading  
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Words have no power to impress the mind
without the exquisite horror of their reality.
Edgar Allan Poe
Welcome to this week's WDC Horror/Scary Newsletter, where we journey into the 'dark' side of writing ~ prosaic and poetic ~ to create a reality that portends the horror to come. What makes us seek horror; what makes us desire to be frightened, mortified; what makes us want to embrace the darkness within ~ and without? Is it a modern-day phenomenon, or older than graveyard dirt? Come join the exploration.
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Once upon a time, some five centuries or so ago, there lived an old reprobate, miserly by nature, who spent his waking hours in the local pub, and the others sleeping off the after-effects of his self-indulgence. He disregarded all civilities and courtesies to others, so when it came time for his days to end, it was the devil who came for him when the veil was most thin. And Jack, as he was named, on the way to his fate, asked the devil to join him in a final trick to earn a free drink. The devil, sly trickster, could not pass it up, and found himself bound to the earth with a cross. To release him, Jack demanded another year’s time.
When the devil returned for him, next Halloween night, they walked side by side on the in silence for a time. Jack stopped as they passed an apple tree laden with fruit, and begged just one favor, while he still could. He asked if he could have but an apple to eat, and the devil saw no harm in allowing his treat. Jack hobbled and stretched his bony old frame but could not pull himself up the trunk of the tree. Soon bored, the devil leapt up atop the tree. Jack quick carved a cross on the base of the tree, trapping the devil in the branches above. In exchange for the devil’s freedom from the now binding branches, Jack demanded the devil no longer seek him out.
Though cautioning Jack to mind what he ased, the devil promised to leave him alone for all eternity. Jack scratched over the cross at the base of the tree, releasing the devil who ran through the veil laughing.
Now Jack was not bothered by the devil again, and he lived for a long time with his miserly ways; for a very very long time, no end in sight as he aged and grew more feeble and in his days took no delight. Growing every more weary day by day, he shuffled his ancient bones to St. Peter’s gate. St. Peter recalled his life of dissolution, and denied him the gates to peace and salvation.
So Jack dragged his ragged old body to the gates of hell, and begged of the devil entrance to his rightful peaceful end. The devil reminded him of the promise exacted in return for his freedom many decades, perhaps centuries afore. Jack wept, despondent that he’d been so duped; left in the dark with no place of final rest.
The devil, quickly weary of his whining entreaties, tossed Jack some hellfire to light his way back to earth. He laughed as Jack quick grabbed a turnip to hold it and carved out a lantern to hold the devilish light.
To this day, some swear they see him, on the night the veil is thin.
On Halloween, it may not be the crackle of dried leaves you hear as you clean the TP off your front yard and take down the festive trimmings as costumed laughing beggars depart. It may well be Jack Of The Lantern, shuffling along on his crackled aged bones, with the hellfire glowing out the eyes of the gourd. His eyes growing dimmer as the centuries pass, he carries the light of hell in a pumpkin where it burns its malevolent light as a face reflecting his fear. Jack’s fear that he’ll never find a place to rest his bones, though he tries, and perhaps will find, respite in your home, if he can trick you to granting him entrance. And remember, he’s had centuries of practice ~ so beware!
Now Jack-of-the-lantern was shortened over time to Jack-O’Lantern, and perhaps we carve that gourd and remove the seeds to keep Jack from doing likewise in our own backyard; keeping us safe for another year, until once again the veil is thin, on Halloween night, when the dead and near dead walk freely among us.
May you encounter more treats than tricks, and have a
Happy Halloween
Kate - Writing & Reading
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I'd like to share some good old scary stories and verse submitted by members of our Community, to read by a warm safe fire once the doors are locked against the veil. Remember to shut the windows as well, to keep those on the others side from reaching through the veil, and thank your fellows for alerting you with a comment or perhaps a revew .
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John was just a phone anwserer for late night hotline calls, but he got so much more...
#1590861 by Josh M. Cregger  |
And let's not forget as we munch pumpkin seeds and eat pumpkin pie with some nice frothy beer (or cider or other libation) ~ enjoy the repast yet consider the source, the gourd that for you brings such delight, for Jack and others ~ well check it out
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Inspired, there's still some time to engage your own 'flash' of inspiration
And for some gifting ~ show you dare, I mean, care
 Happy Halloween!
Write On!
Kate - Writing & Reading
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Thank you for this brief respite on my journey, exploring with me some of what lies beyond the veil. Remember, if you light your doorway, to give good treats. The tricksters that follow the kids left behind, may cause you more grief than a yard decked in rolls of white. Now I am just kidding, as far as you know but I'm sincere in wishing one and all,
Write On!
Kate - Writing & Reading
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Horror/Scary: October 28, 2009 Issue [#3353]
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