It is so much fun to participate in Susanna Leonard Hill’s Halloweensie Contest. But so challenging to write a story in 100 words or less. Each entry must incorporate 3 terms: spooky, cackle and black cat. Susanna insisted I defend my title (haha – no arm-twisting was necessary!), and though I’ve been avoiding rhyming texts I could not resist – my apologies in advance to my well-metered friends!
HALLOWEEN COMES TO THE FARM
Full moon ascends velvet sky
Flickering Jack bats an eye
Scarecrow snitch dons a straw hat
Spinal twitch of a black cat
Scritch scratch, ratatatat
Halloween comes to the farm
Restless cows moo sweet and low
Leafless boughs buckle and throw
Strident screech of the barn owl
Ruffles feathers of lesser fowl
Scritch scratch, ratatatat
Halloween comes to the farm
Cobwebs beguile sloping beams
Saddling horse’s pleasant dreams
Spooky sighs thicken the night
Cresting dawn spills early light
Scritch scratch, ratatatat
Halloween comes to the farm
Spirits rise to bid adieu
Dispel night with Cackle-dee-doo!
julie rowan-zoch 
Love the catchy refrain!
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It was the only thing that stayed in during the process!
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Fanbloodytaculous Julie
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🙂
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“Flickering Jack bats and eye” Lovely!
Nice last line too 🙂
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Thanks, Joanne. This was fun, but .I look forward to reworking this without the limitations,
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I love your ending, and that illustration is perfect. Great entry!
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Thanks, and congrats again! I saw your mention in the SCBWI bulletin!
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“Well-metered friends” – CACKLE! I like the spooky mood you’ve created and your unique turns of phrase: “cobwebs beguile sloping beams” – very cool!
Also – great minds: my entry has a scarecrow and the word “twitch” too. 🙂
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Groovy! I really like your older poem that you shared on fb too!
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Very cute poem, Julie!!! Love Cackle-dee-doo!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!!! THE SCARECROW!!!! He’s the cutest!!!!
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Thanks!
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Awesome scarecrow and some unique turns of phrase. Fab refrain, too!
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Thanks, Joanna.
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Oh my goodness. That is So good. You definitely are talented. Must come from the Park side…
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Of course! Howelse could I recall a dark night on a farm!
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It’s a beautiful poem and great illustration too. You have to try and get it published my poet friend.
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Oh, thank you, my sweet inspiring friend! I would rework it without the confining word count though!
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Er, excuse me?! You’re just as well metered (and mannered) as the next guy (or gal). I LOVE IT! You’ve pinpointed Halloween here on our farm. Great job.
My fav:
Cobwebs beguile sloping beams
Saddling horse’s pleasant dreams
You’re the one! 🙂
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Thanks, dear friend!
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P.S. That scarecrow is inspiring. He’s funtastical!
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I realized a bit late that I must have had another friend’s illustration influencing the poem, and hence my illo.
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great imagery, rhythm, onomatopoeia, love it!
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Thanks, I love playing a little more than making sense though!
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Love this! I admire people who can write in rhyme well. 🙂
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Thank you for your kind words!
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Cackle-doodle-do. . .I love it! And your drawing, too, Julie. I was trying, too, to think of another creature that would cackle. You found one!
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I believe that’s what brought my piece to the farm!
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I love the images this conjures up, Julie — beautifully worded. and Cackle-doodle-doo — perfect ending!
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Thanks, Beth!
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Love the poem and refrain!
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Thanks, Juliana. You share the name with my daughter’s dear friend! Sweet!
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Wonderful work all the way around! It’s certainly worthy enough to defend your title, Julie! I love your art! :0)
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Haha! Thanks, Donna!
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Cackle-doodle doo
This poem is so YOU!
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I guess it is!
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Cackle-dee-do…just love that, Julie! And the lyrical language throughout was super! Great entry…Happy Halloween to you.:)
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And to you, Vivian! Will you be dressing up to make the rounds with your little ‘un?
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Grandma and Grandpa went to Jeremy’s Kindercare class today to join the Autumn Spectacular celebration – all the kids were in costume. He was so thrilled to see us walk in – we got to do a craft with him…decorating a foam pumpkin with stickers.:) It was POURING tonight…and he is at his Dad’s this evening anyway.
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What a pity about the rain, but sure sounds like you had fun earlier!
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Wonderful atmosphere, I could feel it. Congratulations!
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Thanks, Beverly!
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Very poetic. You’ve painted a lovely scene. Well done.
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Lots of scene, very little story- oh, well! Thanks for popping in!
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This is excellent! I love the…Scritch scratch, ratatatat. Wonderful job, Julie!
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Thanks so much, Cheryl!
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Outstanding entry Julie.
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Thank you, Patricia.
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I’m so glad you defended your title, Julie! LOVE your illustration, and the repetition of the “Scritch scratch, ratatatat/Halloween comes to the farm” chorus, and the fact that the rooster says Cackle-dee-doo! And your barn descriptions are lovely and transport me 🙂 Thanks so much for joining in the fun…again! 🙂
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I just enjoy getting on the crazy challenge carousel with everyone else!
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Ooh–what mood. LOVE your refrain,
Scritch scratch, ratatatat
Halloween comes to the farm
So catchy!
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Thanks for stopping by andcommenting, Pam
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Halloween on the farm sounds like fun. Really like the repetition of “Scritch scratch, ratatatat Halloween comes to the farm!”
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Thanks, Janna, .
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Love flickering jack and cackle-dee-doo! Happy Halloween, because I see it is now Halloween!
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Ha, ha – I see you’re up late too!
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Abso-bally-lutely flippin’ magnificent! I really like the ending. 🙂 The illustration is awesome! 😀
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Dreadfully kind of you, Dahling.
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Love it Julie! And your illo, perfect for Halloween. 😀
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Thanks, Meg!
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I “cackle-dee-doo” like this, Julie! You’ve got some great sounds and images here.
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Thanks, Michelle!
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Julie, this is a GREAT story. You’ve got some great language and imagery here and I love the refrain (not to mention the illustration). You should continue to work on this and develop it into a longer story – it’s a great start. Nicely done!
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Oooo, that means a lot to me coming from you! Thanks!
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Scritch, scratch, ratatatat Halloween comes to the farm! LOVE it! That part is going to be stuck in my head for the rest of the day! Well done.
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Thanks, Heather! Should subside by the time all trick or treaing has stopped!
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great job ! 🙂
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Thanks for popping in, Nicole!
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What?? This rhyme is sublime! 🙂
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Thanks, Cathy.
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This is an amazing piece of work you’ve created!!! This piece is so visual. Oh, and how wonderful is the sound of cackle doodle-dooo! I’m with everyone else on that wonderful repetitive line. Can’t you just hear the little ones repeating it? Again, wonderful job!
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Thanks, Pamela. You have an amazing ability to make the recipient of your encouragement feel great joy!
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“Cobwebs beguile sloping beams” so descriptive — I can see that image!
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Thanks. Laura!
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