I’d asked them to write one, so I thought I’d better bang one out myself. It was just after Halloween, which means nothing to me, but the kids- including Alex and Max- love it. And it’s just harmless fun. Over-hyped, commodified, an example of cultural hegemony. But harmless fun. It seemed to help my English class too.

Here’s the poem, based upon no-one, and nothing I’ve ever done!

Halloween Mask

from downstairs

my brother yells at me

like an army captain

to hurry up, it’s time to go.

 

I take a breath

exhale

and gaze at the mirror.

 

ghastly white cheeks

eyes darkened like death

I ooze blood from monstrous wounds

 

a frightening face

but for those who’ll see me

it’s real; easily read

honest as rain

 

unlike the happy masks

I wear

for the rest of the year.