This is a different sort of Halloween contest.
I'm going back to the roots of Halloween: Samhaim. Calan Gaeaf. Hallow's Eve. Dia de los Muertos. Festival of the Dead. Or whatever you call it.
I want poems remembering and honoring those who have gone before us. I want poems that honor our ancestors or celebrate death in a respectful manner. I want poems that highlight the spiritual aspect of this time of year rather than the commercialized macabre and gore crap.
If you have a PW that fits this bill 185%, please enter it here.
If you have a PW that is about something else entirely but one particular line maybe kinda sorta might fit this prompt if you twist the words and then read them with your eyes all squinty-like, I will DQ it without explanation or warning. (that was your warning)
If I like what I read I may add points or HM's.
I will comment on your entry but I will also ask you to show the same courtesy to your fellow contestants. Just read at least one other entry and say something nice about it. It's really not that hard and you might find a piece that leaves an impression on you.
Please don't rate my comments until after the contest has been judged.
REALLY IMPORTANT: this contest is not about religion. I understand that (given the topic) religious or spiritual sentiments would lend themselves easily to your entry and that is fine. What I don't want to see is poetry that blindsides me with religion, choking out the artistic quality of the poem. Nor do I want to see disrespect aimed at another person's beliefs. The minute this turns into a debate about heaven/hell/purgatory/karma/incarnation/nirvana, the smiting will most assuredly begin. 
For-the-love-of-whatever-you-hold-sacred PLEASE use spellcheck, proper grammar, and punctuation where applicable.
Contest is Over
- Contest was judged on November 1
- Rewards: Gold: 600, Silver: 500, Bronze: 400, Honorable mention: 3 people
- Final notes: I was truly, duly impressed by the quality of entires in this contest. Naturally, this made it a challenge to judge.
Gold jumped out at me because it fit the contest's theme perfectly and created imagery that was bright and hopeful during this dark time of year. I was also astounded when I saw how young the poet was. It's not often that the teens on this site can compete with the more experienced writers, but this young talent has managed to do so.
Silver and Bronze were tough to pick out of the remainders, but certain poems struck a chord inside of me and so I chose based on my personal reactions.
I have added HM's and will award points in private to compensate these fine poets further.
Thank you all and Blessed Samhain / Hallowmas / All Saint's Day / Dia de los Muertos / Festival of the Dead or whatever you chose to call it!
Contest Winners
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We stand hand in hand around these graves.
The moon shines dimly, and stars dot the sky.by TecumsehRoz 15 lines, 4 comments, on Oct 23 10:43 PM. In Spiritual, Thoughts, Nature
Gold trophy winner
• Commented on by judge. [remove] -
They fell from the plane with candescent spirits;
that ignited the hallowed core of our mothers creation• Commented on by judge. [remove] -
Gossamer veils grow thinnest
between dualistic worlds as• Commented on by judge. Prewrite [remove] -
The Autumn wind whispers,
Bitter tales of century’s past.by Raul Moreno 13 lines, 4 comments, on Oct 24 1:59 AM. In Spiritual, Social, Contest
Honorable mention
• Commented on by judge. [remove] -
Enigma’s chance to try once more
to place a foot through half-closed door ...by waydownuponjoy 30 lines, 12 comments, on Oct 24 6:49 AM. In Contest, Imagery, Sad, Soulful philosophy, Spiritual Honorable mention
• Commented on by judge. [remove] -
They are all gone into the world of light
• Commented on by judge. Prewrite [remove]
Silver trophy winner
Bronze trophy winner
Entries [6]
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Comments
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i am so VERY glad to see someone running a Hallowe'en competition in the traditional sense of the feast.
I have only one Hallowe'en poem - "Hallowe'en 1943" - which I do not think entirely fits your criteria - though it was written as a tribute to my late Mother - and, so to speak, for everyone present at the event, under the daily shadow of death. If you wish to see it, I can put it in for you - but I fear you may find it a little peripheral! -
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Oh no please do submit it! If it is a tribute to your mother than it is most certainly welcome here.
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A wonderful contest...nice to see.
Blessed be...and blessed Samhain! -
Thanks for holding this contest ...
You more than generous with your gifts and trophies and this was a most interesting contest and I enjoyed entering it. Thanks for all!
j
y
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Wow, thanks for the silver shiny. Happy new year to all who choose to believe..... x
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