Fingernails on Chalkboard

Fingernails on Chalkboard

A Chapter by Papaya
"

Happy Halloween.

"

-------------------------------------

Finger nails on chalkboard

Yes, that's what it sounded like

Finger nails on chalkboard

 

S    c    r    e    e    c   h   i   n   g

 

The house?  'Twas haunted

This was commonly known

A decrepit old thing

With weeds over grown

 

And an old iron fence

Bordered outside the yard

With a gate that swung open

When the cold wind blew hard

 

In the windows were cobwebs

Where spiders made home

O'er glass that was cracked

Where children threw stones

 

The second story windows

Watched me, like eyes

When shutters began blinking

'Twas not at all a surprise

 

Then I heard it again

Finger nails on chalkboard

Yes, that's what it sounded like

Finger nails on chalkboard

 

S     c     r     e    e     c    h    i    n    g

 

I stepped through the gate

Cringing from the sound

Thinking, "A dare is a dare

And I dare not back down"

 

A dare is a dare, and I dare not back down...

 

At the schoolmarm's house

You'll hear a loud screech

Go inside the house

And tell us what you see.

 

But beware of the ghosts

They may swallow your screams

Go to the old school house

On the night of Halloween

 

My heart pounded loudly

On the drums in my ears

Thoughts cranked my mind

Like rusty clock gears

 

Tic Tic Tic

Open the Door

Click

 

Tic Tic Tic

Open the door

Click

 

It became a rotten mantra

As I stood outside the door

Mustering the courage 

To go inside, to explore

 

Tic Tic Tic

Open the door

Click

 

Tic Tic Tic

Open the door

Click

 

W    H   O   O   S    H

 

The door suddenly flew open

As though enchanted by my words

Not a single living thing inside

And not a speck of dust stirred

 

So I stepped inside...  very quietly

Careful not to make a sound

Just in case there was something around

 

M   R   R   E   E   E   O   W

 

I jumped out of my skin

"What on earth was that?!"

Rubbing up against my legs

Was a fat black furry cat!

 

Seemed a harmless little creature

Until it said "follow me"

(And I know that's hard to believe

But I heard it, clear as could be)

 

That cat spoke to me...

 

"Follow me"   it said.

 

So I followed it to the stairs

Then I heard it once again

That sound, oh that sound

And I started to  c r i n g e

 

Finger nails on chalkboard

Yes, that's what it sounded like

Finger nails on chalkboard

 

S  c   r   e   e   c  h  i   n   g

 

"I'm sorry cat" I said

"I cannot follow anymore"

Then turned on my heel

And ran straight for the door

 

But it slammed tightly shut

With a quick gust of wind

And I was faced with the cat

Beckoning "follow me" again

 

Come with me, come see

I won't lead you to harm

She's waiting to meet you

This house's Schoolmarm

 

So I followed up the stairs

(I really had no choice)

I struggled to say something

But could not find my voice

 

From the top of the landing

I looked down the old hall

To where a door was ajar

Revealing a woman in shawl

 

I'll teach you a lesson

You will do as I say

Now write out your lines

I've not got all day!

 

And then I heard it again

Finger nails on chalkboard

Yes, that's what it sounded like

Finger nails on chalkboard

 

S  c  r  e  e  c  h  i  n  g

 

Finger nails on chalkboard

I heard it once again

Fingernails on chalkboard

And the sound made me cringe

 

100 hundred lines

100 hundred lines

You'll write them as punishment

All 100 times!!!!

 

I stood still now (and quiet)

Right outside her door

I pushed it open a little

So I could see a little more

 

Then it started again

That horrible sound

Like finger nails on chalkboard

Scraping up, scraping down

 

But that's not at all what it was

Twas not what I expected to see

Sharp knives on the board etching...

 

"Happy Halloween"

 



© 2020 Papaya


Author's Note

Papaya
Just a happy halloween thing. I don't think I meant it to be so long.
Will have to read through to see if rhyme and meter are ok. I'm not entirely sold on it.
It feels like I rambled on too long. Tell me what you think. I've developed a reasonably thick skin over time.

My Review

Would you like to review this Chapter?
Login | Register




Featured Review

If I had any criticism it would just be the length, I have a short attention span and fell asleep twice but the rest was a wonderful read
You really set the mood and atmosphere with an excellent combination of story and rhyme showing again what a quality poet UR.
You have done tons of great work and I rate this seemingly innocent effort well up the scale
I'd like to see a bunch more of this sort of thing
My other criticism is that I read it a couple of weeks too early ( so it's my fault, not yours)

Posted 3 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Papaya

3 Years Ago

Air horn in the ear outta do it.
Dave Brown

3 Years Ago

U may B a decent poet but you'll have to work on the being sympathetic thingy majiggy
Papaya

3 Years Ago

I turn into a witch at Halloween



Reviews

I'm a person not easily swayed by repetition, usually it sounds like a predictable attempt at emphasis. But in this poem, you have nailed repetition which truly DOES emphasize everything you mean to stand out. This poem has everything slamming together -- rhyme, rhythm, high imagination, being conversational yet eerie, several viewpoint switches to other entities to mix things up . . . it's definitely not droning on & on in all the prescribed Halloween ways. This feels like an honest & forthright storytelling in verse that just happens to be a Halloween ditty. One of the best Halloween writes posted here at the cafe in the 6 years I've been here! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

Posted 3 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Papaya

3 Years Ago

Thanks so much girl this really great comment!!!!
:)
Papaya

3 Years Ago

*for

Was so excited I typo'd :)
If I had any criticism it would just be the length, I have a short attention span and fell asleep twice but the rest was a wonderful read
You really set the mood and atmosphere with an excellent combination of story and rhyme showing again what a quality poet UR.
You have done tons of great work and I rate this seemingly innocent effort well up the scale
I'd like to see a bunch more of this sort of thing
My other criticism is that I read it a couple of weeks too early ( so it's my fault, not yours)

Posted 3 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Papaya

3 Years Ago

Air horn in the ear outta do it.
Dave Brown

3 Years Ago

U may B a decent poet but you'll have to work on the being sympathetic thingy majiggy
Papaya

3 Years Ago

I turn into a witch at Halloween
Hahaha! For a second I thought you were gonna make it into a classroom. That's my worst nightmare. Shudder. School Is my worst nightmare. Hahaha. Very well written and the sound affects are awesome.
(I'm weird- I like the sound of fingernails on a chalkboard...)

Posted 5 Years Ago


Papaya

5 Years Ago

Seriously? You're weird. :)
I can feel it in my teeth when I hear that sound.
LazerRays

5 Years Ago

Hahahaha- it's never bothored me. The only sounds I hate are my brother singing and the vaccum clean.. read more
Whenever I hear this sound it sends chills down my spine.just like this story.great job.very effective.

Posted 5 Years Ago


Papaya

5 Years Ago

Ugh, I am cringing just thinking about the sound. I hate it. Thanks KC!
Another epic Halloweeny Ana complete with ghastly screeching to keep us on our toes. I have to say you have far more staying power than me. What are you feeding your pen on? I seem to exhaust mine after a max of thirty lines or so. Your stories are always an entertaining read. All good wishes.

Chris

Posted 5 Years Ago


Papaya

5 Years Ago

Thank you. Many off these started as spooky stories I was telling my kids. Lately I've been too bus.. read more
Yes. Great for a bunch of kiddos and adults gathered round a campfire with all the sound effects. Good surprise ending to get them wide-eyed and jaws dropping.

Posted 5 Years Ago


Papaya

5 Years Ago

Thank you so much Maxwell. :)
Really glad you liked it and I appreciate you popping into read.. read more
Hello..I enjoyed reading this and seeing it in my mind..scary and fun...the only thing i would add is an ..a .. for cadence..' Revealing a woman in ( a ) shawl....looking forward to more...write on..

Posted 7 Years Ago


Papaya

5 Years Ago

Hi Tbear, so sorry I missed this. i took a little break and missed your comment so please accept my .. read more
oh damn, I don't know a person alive who doesn't hate that sound. Just thinking about it makes me clench my jaws -- glad I happened upon this Happy Hallowe'en as I listen to more divisive and unhappy news, this time from Toronto's Pride organization. Why are we humans determined to hurt, exclude, and smash progress made with inclusivity.

Posted 7 Years Ago


Papaya

7 Years Ago

Thanks. Yeah, there is some crazy a*s s**t going on.
If it were any shorter I think the reader would reach the end too soon. (There may be a reader attention span benchmark - if so it would be good to know - sorry, just some self thought there).
The story had to build at this pace to get all the elements in without cramming or rushing, I feel.
I liked the various Halloween favourites sprinkled in this - not overdone.
Brilliant reveal at the end! Quite imaginative not to mention thrilling!

=:0


Posted 7 Years Ago


Papaya

7 Years Ago

Thanks very much, i appreciate the kind comment. Not really sure about the pacing or attention mete.. read more
I liked this poem. The flow of thoughts took the reader in and held me to the last words. I liked how you twisted-up the many tales leading to positive ending. Thank you Ana for sharing your amazing poetry.
Coyote

Posted 7 Years Ago


Papaya

7 Years Ago

Hi Coyote, thanks for reaching in to find this one!
Coyote Poetry

7 Years Ago

I always enjoy your work and you are welcome.

First Page first
Previous Page prev
1
Share This
Email
Facebook
Twitter
Request Read Request
Add to Library My Library
Subscribe Subscribe


Stats

897 Views
17 Reviews
Rating
Added on October 28, 2016
Last Updated on August 22, 2020


Author

Papaya
Papaya

Toronto , Canada



About
more..

Writing
Tranquility Tranquility

A Chapter by Papaya


murmurs murmurs

A Chapter by Papaya


Mortal echoes Mortal echoes

A Chapter by Papaya



Related Writing

People who liked this story also liked..


1. Orgasm 1. Orgasm

A Chapter by Papaya


Irony Irony

A Chapter by Dr. YumnaKay