The Fog Monsters (Halloween Poem Challenge, Day 1)

The Fog Monsters

Gregory O’Leary, a strapping lad of seventeen

Went walkin’ that grayish morn’

Through the maze of fishing shanties

Past the higgledy-piggledy docks

And onto Briny Beach.

He felt the splish-splash of icy waves

And the whip-whoosh of salty sea air

As he watched the fog draw near.

Over the water it crept, thick as Sunday stew.

Pale as fish bones.

Makin’ straight for ‘im.

But O’Leary stood his ground

Grit his teeth and quelled his fear

As the wreathing fog broke shore

Reachin’ for ‘im with deathly hands.

He reared back for a mighty punch –

But alas! The fog coiled ’round his ankles fast

Draggin’ ‘im towards the deep.

The tide rose and the waves crashed loud

But no escape could be seen.

Just faces in the whitish murk

Faces of fishermen lost at sea.

They leered and sneered but O’Leary wasn’t one to quit

So with a hefty lurch he fought free –

Pummeling that fog with mighty clouts

Makin’ it roil and shriek.

And as that feral fog dispersed

O’Leary watched with a wiry grin

Then went walkin’ back that grayish morn’

Past the higgledy-piggledy docks

To the fishing shanties

Now safe again from Briny Beach.

About the Poem

Hey guys,

So back in college I wrote some poems for an elective assignment. This one was inspired by growing up in Nova Scotia, a place full of foggy shores and a great many ye old fisherman.

Have you written a fallish or Halloweenish poem? I’d love to read it! Also be sure to visit Matt Hardy on Unsplash for more beautiful photography.