Harvest Folklore Prompted Contest
Prompt: “The jack-o'-lantern blazed through the darkness, a comet growing ever larger.” Created by Lydia Jane.
Each carved face represents the dead. Dozens line the road to the cemetery. Some are expertly carved likenesses, rendered down to each line and dimple. Most are not.
I stop at a small, hideous jack-o’-lantern. Snot-like string drips from its slash of a mouth. Through it the light of a summoning candle glitters.
With one swing I’ve smashed it to pieces.
The remains don’t hide anything interesting. Just a child’s toy.
I leave it for the rain.
Superstitious villagers light these jack-o’-lanterns on Hallows Eve to invite their loved ones to visit. They’re supposed to be stuffed with treasures belonging to the dead. But so far it’s all trash.
Then I see the young bride. Her idiot husband spent days carving her. It only takes me seconds to destroy. A wedding ring glimmers from the gore.
I claim it and delight turns to horror. The carved face sloppily reforms. The jack-o’-lantern blazes through the darkness. A comet growing ever larger, it flies toward me. My screams cut off as its flesh wraps my own. The summoning candle burns—becomes one with me. She becomes one with me. Behind carved eyes I watch her slip the wedding ring onto our finger.
Prompt 2
Prompt: “I don’t care what you hear; never trust the Raven.” Created by Lydia Jane.
“I don’t care what you hear; never trust the Raven,” they say.
But I say to you; come with me, my dear. Come with me into the deep, dark wood. Here where the earth is quiet and your worries are still.
Here where the unrequited lover runs to be embraced by the wild.
Here where the incautious child plays and forever stays.
Don’t listen to those who tell you to fear, for I know the trees and their shade, we welcome you.
The shadows will caress you, and my wings will ruffle your hair. Come to the wild and we will hide you away from your trouble.
They try to tell you, “The Raven will lead you astray,” but I swear I only wish to guide you from whatever you wish to escape.
Come with me, my dear. Come with me into the deep, dark wood.
Prompt: “Do you know why the harvest moon glows red, my love?” Created by Lydia Jane.
A bonfire blazed in the heart of the field. Smoke drifted up to the full moon, while even the stars seemed to dance along to the tiny fiddle music. In the center, partners spun around in hectic circles, skirts whirling and shoes tapping.
Clarice glanced down at her daughter, but resisted the urge to take the smaller hand in her own. “Do you know why the harvest moon glows red, my love?”
Lillian giggled. “Because the pumpkins are ready tonight.”
“That’s right.” Clarice led Lillian to the carved jack-o’-lanterns. “Which is your favorite?”
Lillian paused in front of one with oval-shaped eyes and a wide smile. “This one.”
“What a marvelous choice.” Clarice bent down, severing the vine as the music swelled. “Don’t be afraid, Lilli. This is you now.”
Lillian’s ghostly face beamed as she slipped her head into the pumpkin. As her body took on more substance, she donned a dress, shoes, and gloves, too.
So cruel that Lillian’s life had been cut short, but now, Clarice had the child she’s always wanted.
“How do I look, Mama?” Lillian twirled, arms spread wide.
Clarice lifted a hand to the pumpkin cheek that mirrored her own. “Beautiful, dearest.”
