After a badly spoken spell,
and the ascension of a white crushed pill,
our ritual is halted by a round
of righteous bells,
followed by bickering crows
arguing over the dorm room windowsill.

Sensing the mood,
I ask the board,
“Who here is of another world?”
which is followed by the manic rattling
of a tiny plastic skull.
We hold our breaths
as the planchette frantically swirls
as if invisible hands vie for its control
in the chaos of burnt plastic
and a rapidly swiveling hole,
I catch the letters:
H-E-L-L
but there is no O.

And when it stops,
one lone crow
taps against
the newly cracked
dorm window
staring through us
as if we’re ghosts and
it is busy memorizing
enemy faces.

©2023 | K.F. Hartless


Written for Break on Through Radio Show inspired by the artwork of Pam Wishbow.

25 responses to “Consecrated”

  1. Hell is a real place…

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    1. Think so? It’s a crowded place, then…;)

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Yes, I do, and sadly I think you are correct, K. 😭

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    1. Thank you, Art.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Tom Avatar

    Very powerful & haunting verses, K. Great poetry!

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Thank you, Tom. Tis the season. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Deep thoughts, thanks.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You’re most welcome. I appreciate your comment, J M.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Ohhh, this was marvelously spooky! 👻

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Colleen. I’m glad it came off as ghoulish as intended. 🙂

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  6. Very chilling, and perfect for the season! 🎃

    Liked by 1 person

    1.  Avatar
      Anonymous

      Thank you, Sam. It was a fun write. 🕯️

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Excellent write. Love the crow bit.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, VJ. I like telling stories in verse. I didn’t happen on a crow this Halloween, but I did spot a yellow and black frog near the elevator. A rather odd sighting. Maybe there’s another poem there.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Strange indeed to find a frog indoors. An escaped pet maybe? You are welcome

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  8. I love this! Happy Halloween poetry! 🎃

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    1. Happy Halloween, Colleen. 👻🐈‍⬛ I’m cackling with you all the way from Thailand. It’s not been the easiest transition to move half-way round the world, but I think I’m starting to reemerge, hopefully even better than before.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. And that is what happens when you have idiots who watch YouTube videos instead of learning the Craft

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Indeed. The veil is thin, and yet most still can’t see through it. Wishing you a Blessed Samhain, friend.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Blessed Samhain my friend 🙏

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  10. atmospheric; unnerving —

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Excellent. I think I got to the thriller in this one. If only I could write on this sort of edge all the time. More wine will help, perhaps. 🤔

      Liked by 1 person

      1. lol —

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  11. Creepy and yikes, really enjoyed it. I was huge into those boards in high school.

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