Literary Spells: Spooky Spring Submissions
The Witch by Barb Andersson, @dark_image_design
I’ve felt the noose around my neck
A gloved hand on the axe,
My body bound upon the pyre
The flash off from the match.
Held deep below the water dark
My breath expelled and spent,
My soul returned from where it came
My body broke and bent.
The darkness, flames, the sway of trees
Bring truth before your eyes,
The shadows shift, the memories lift
“All Hail” the witches rise!
*
Last Laugh by Tiff Parker
Her ghost sat beside me on the stump as the night fog beckoned the woods a hello. A reminisce of a life before revealing, her face began to appear. No smile though.
“Do you have any regrets?” Wanting, just as in life the volumes of tales of what ifs and theories. Perhaps even answers to life and death.
She slowly nods, and my throat begins to burn with useless anger. What point is there to harbor such emotion?
The crowd inside the barn is cheering and a familiar tune plays.
“This day is for you, you know.” I look into the eyes of my dearly departed friend. “Do ghosts acknowledge emptiness? The aches in hearts left behind.
“Do YOU remember? Or is it like Casper, you know forgetting what being alive is like?” I wonder if ghosts get jokes.
She laughs a silent laugh and soon I join in.
The volume inside goes up, in life this would have been the moment when hugs would be given, tears wiped away and all the feels from deep talks would be tucked in our hearts.
Our friends circle and a giant group hug spreads. Only now we are forever missing one. She stands up and looks around one last time.
“We Love You” I say. Her smile fades and her eyes close. I think I see a tear. She walks into the crowd, fading away with each step.
A tiny whisper dances in my ear. “She may not have had the language, but she always knew.”
*
Is your journal brimming with springtime musings? Are there flowers scattered across the pages? Seeds embedded into the binding? Thorny tendrils leading you deeper into mystical, mysterious worlds?
Does it sometimes feel a bit spooky?
I know, I know, spookiness is typically reserved for the dark half of the year, but who says the dead vanish when our gardens bloom? And who says haunted hearts cease to exist when the sun shines? When spring arrives, what happens to the ghosts of things left unsaid?
As the Wheel of the Year turns and Beltane comes and goes, we're reminded that the inverse of this season is Samhain. Harvest season is often described as a portal or liminal space - a period when spirits roam freely and witches resurrect their ancestors with memories and stories. And if Persephone, Springtime Maiden turned Queen of the Underworld, has taught us anything, it's to embrace the dualities - tangible and emotional, timeless and seasonal. Because no matter if we're walking into Samhain, Beltane, Harvesttime, or Spring, a cornucopia of spooks, shadows, and strangeness awaits…
So let's write about it!
Calling all poets, storytellers, and literary witches - would you like to cast a spell with us?
Hosted by Pointy Hat Press, the Spooky Spring Series was inspired by haunted hearts, spectral travelers, and confessional poetry.
To join in on Pointy Hat Press’s Spooky Spring challenge, submit an original poem, song, sonnet, short essay (500 words or less), or illustration about ghosts, ghouls, witches, or whatever haunted chambers you're exploring this spring. Share the post to your IG feed, tag @pointyhatpress and @littlewitchbooks, and use the hashtag #spookyspring. You can also email us your submission at hello@pointyhatpress.com.
One lucky writer will receive a custom fine art print of their work designed by our in-house Art Witch, created and delivered at no cost to them!
Pointy Hat Press's Spooky Spring contest runs from April 5th - June 1st, 2023. The Winner will be chosen by Pointy Hat Press founders, Kristin and Caitlyn, and announced at 12 pm EST on the Full Flower Moon, June 4th, 2023. Good luck spooky friends!
