Hallowed Night by Elaine Reardon

On this New Year's Eve

I make ready for visitors,

wash the linen tablecloth, 

light candles inside

carved pumpkins,

set a basket of green apples 

from the gnarled tree that stands

in front of the house.

Thick creamy milk from Chase Hill 

jerseys is poured into mugs,

wedges of homemade bread 

slathered with butter,

Hot tea, minty and black, 

a measure of whiskey for dad.

This night, a gathering. 

I wait with anticipation 

under orange streaked sky.

It's almost time, almost ready.

Wait for the air to stir.

Welcome the old ones 

this Hallowed Eve

James Ball, (1776)

the sidhe and nature spirits,

ancestors who travel through

rivers of blood, and others  

who follow the stars tonight

to join this gathering

much like a renewal of vows

Elaine Reardon is a poet, herbalist, educator, and member of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators. Her chapbook, The Heart is a Nursery For Hope, was published in 2016 by Flutter Press. Most recently, Elaine’s poetry has been published by Three Drops from a Cauldron Journal, MA Poet of the Moment, Poppy Road Review,  http://www.naturewriting.com and poetrysuperhighway.com.  She  most recently was heard reading at the Brattleboro Literary Festival, Great Falls Spoken Word Festival, and the Garlic & Arts Festival.  Elaine lives tucked into the forest in Western Massachusetts and maintains a blog at elainereardon.wordpress.com