The moon is full, the wind is chill
The leaves do crackle, omens ill
Do lurk in every darkened place,
The sky black night, not outer space.
A night it seems that anything
Could happen, or is happening;
You just can’t see it lurking there.
But it’s there; tonight, beware.
An evening every gust of wind
Could herald any spook or fiend
Intent to take you by surprise.
A night you stay alert; your eyes,
Livened by the frosty air,
Stay wide awake, lest all your hair
Suddenly will stand on end,
Sensing, long before you ken,
A presence that is there, then gone!
‘Twas nothing there. Or did the dawn
Save you from a ghastly fate?
And does the presaged specter wait
To give unwary wand’rers fright
On next full moon or next dark night?

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Background:

When Ms. Woolbright assigned an extra credit assignment for our unit on Hamlet, I believe she asked for a ghost-themed "anthology". She wasn't expecting this. I really like the drama in this one. I'm so glad I managed to recover a copy of it.