Dorthea (Halloween rhyme)

Dorthea As Dorthea peered into her mirror, looking around the long crack, she wished she had more warts on her face, a larger hump on her back. She planned to go to the corner store, to cause some Halloween fright; her sister, Davina, was just an old fool, who simply gave up on the fight! She’d teach those people what was what and give them quite a show; she needed some things to use tonight but her apothecary was low. She summoned her demons and called out to her hags, And they came a-scuttling, bearing bottles and bags. Eye of newt and lizard’s tongue for this one, would not do, but the fingernails of one long dead, would surely strengthen her brew. She also needed the scales of a snake and blood from an old hooty owl, and the grunge from the ring of a werewolf’s tub; this potion would smell quite foul! As dark drew near and the fog rolled in, Dorthea’s excitement grew. She was meeting her cronies at the corner store; they’d frighten more than a few. Already the funeral parade had begun, as a hearse roared onto the lot, with flames shooting out of silver tailpipes, you know that engine was hot! There was a wolf in a tux, the first one out, who stopped and howled at the moon, then went to the back, opened the door and took out a spare witch’s broom. A casket lid opened, emitting a creak and a vampire soon disembarked. Customers watched through the window with fear, “I thought this was over”, someone remarked. In a torrent of dust and swirling dead leaves, Dorthea appeared near the door, You only thought Davina was trouble; well, I guarantee I am MORE!” A grinning pumpkin, its face all askew, was cradled in her right hand and skeletons’ teeth now chattered out loud to the beat of some haunted band. She pulled a bottle out of her sleeve and with her teeth, plucked the cork from its mouth, did a slow spin, then shrieked out loud, “All that goes North now turns and goes South!” The roller grill stopped, dead in its tracks and the fountain machine went “glug!” While outside the door a customer ran…and that witch turned him into a slug! The cashier now was trying to think, what could he do to fix this? He opened the mic on the intercom and emitted a long, slow “hisssss”. The witch turned her head and glared right at him, her lips pulled back in a sneer, his blood ran cold and his toenails curled; though he refused to show his fear. As he spoke into the squawk-box, his hands were trembling, indeed, “Ma’am, with what may I help you? Is there something you need? Would you like a boat of nachos? Some coffee or a Coke? Please turn that customer back again; that’s not a funny joke.” Dorthea’s hand reached for the door as the moon slid behind a cloud and from the deafening silence there came a cackling, shrill and loud. Now two green faces, inches apart and locked in a chilling stare; Davina raised her broom up high, but Dorthea didn’t dare! Davina grabbed her sister’s potion and shook it all around; tendrils of smoke drifted up in the air, as the acid touched the ground. “North again becomes North and South becomes South And, slugs back to men, as these words leave my mouth!” Davina then turned to her sister again; no doubt, she was in a wild rage, “Just who, little witch, do you think you are, stealing the spells from my page?” She could hear the engine of the hearse rumbling low, the ghouls huddled up inside. “Get off this lot now, your friends await; you’d better hurry, you might miss your ride.” The cashier hurried over, bowed from the waist and held the door open wide, the customers smiled as she sailed right on in; it felt good to have her inside! “Welcome, Davina, and thank you so much, a chili cheese dog, tonight?” “Here is my card, don’t mind if I do, seems I’ve worked up a real appetite!” As Davina was wiping some cheese from her chin, some ravens outside took flight; he smiled at her and she smiled at him, “See you next year on Halloween night.” Her broom was impatient, outside the door, just waiting for her to fly, before they knew it she was gone; just a silhouette there in the sky. 10-04-05 rewrite 07-19-09 ©tlp 2010