"beckoning with misty fingers"

[eldritchhobbit]

Just a reminder: Fairy Tales: Told and Retold, Reread and Reinterpreted: Belmont University's Fifth Annual Humanities Symposium will be Oct. 25-30 in Nashville.

Now, for amazing pumpkiny goodness, check out the remarkable designs at Ray's Pumpkin Carving tutorial. Thanks to agentxpndble for the link!

Memeage!

What kind of Halloween creature are you?!

You are a Witch/Wizard. You are very witty and always have an idea or two up your sleeve. Though you are sneaky and mysterious, you are not afraid to attack someone. You are pretty/handsome and you decieve ppl about who you really are. You always have a way of getting out of trouble and then getting right back in again. Take this quiz! Quizilla | Join | Make A Quiz | More Quizzes | Grab Code

Today's spooky text is "The Ghosts" by Fitz-James O'Brien (1828-1862):

Pale shapes advancing from the midnight air,
Beckoning with misty fingers round my bed,
Bending your faded faces o'er my head,
I have no fear of ye! I seem to share
Your dim vitality -- mine's well-nigh fled.
I feel the human outlines melt away;
These thin, gray hands that lie on the damp sheet
Are almost vapory enough to meet
Yours in the grasp of fellowship. My hair
Seems turning into cloud. The quickening clay
That walls me in is cracking, and I strive
Towards ye through the breach. Am I alive?
Or are ye dead? All's vague -- a wide, gray sea.
Hark! the cock crows! Now, spirits, welcome me!

Comments

[maidoforange.livejournal.com]

Oh, what a wonderful poem! It would've gone perfectly with my "Break on Through to the Other Side" post.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you like it, too! And yes, I think we're on the same wavelength. :)

[estellye.livejournal.com]

I love this poem.

Those pumkins are absolutely amazing - I must try it!

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad - it's beautiful, isn't it?

I am in awe of the pumpkins. I hope you'll take pictures if you carve one!

[serpentcoils.livejournal.com]

i love that poem. :O oh, wow. short but so perfectly descriptive. what an awesome concept - what it's like turningi into a ghost. :D thanks! <3

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

You're most welcome! I had the exact same reaction. :)

[delenn1960.livejournal.com]

Wow!!! The pumpkin is really a work of art!!! What a pity it's only a vegetable that doesn't remain for ever. I've never seen such a thing before. Very well done!!!!

[mackiedockie.livejournal.com]

Cool and shivery poem. I get highlanderish vibes from it, not just because of the quickening line. Reminds me of Parting Glass (Kat Allison), and Hands (LyricWheel), a couple of stories exploring true mortality.