A Halloween Poem from my childhood

I had the most wonderful teacher in first, second and third grades (Yes, I actually attended a three-room schoolhouse, grades 1 through 8!), Miss Lucy Faulkner. There are many things I remember from her unusual teaching style (very hands-on, very creative), and this poem is just one of the many. She read this to us every Halloween, in the spookiest voice you can imagine!

LITTLE ORPHAN ANNIE

Little Orphan Annie has come to our house to stay.

She washes cups and saucers

and brushes crumbs away.

She shooes the chickens off the porch,

and dusts the hearth and sweeps.

She builds the fires and bakes the bread

and earns her board and keep.

And all us other children, when the supper things are done,

we sit around the kitchen fire and have the mostest fun.

And we listen to the witches tales that Annie talks about.

And the goblins will get YOU if you don't watch out!

Once there was a little boy who wouldn't say his prayers.

And when he went to bed one night, away upstairs,

His mamma heard him holler and his daddy heard him bawl.

And when they turned the kivers down he wasn't there at all.

They seeked him up the rafter room, cubby hole and press,

and they seeked him up the chimney flu and everywhere I guess.

But all they ever found of him was his clothes scattered about

and the goblins will get YOU if you don't watch out!

And one time there was a little girl who would always laugh and grin,

and make fun of everyone, even her blood and kin.

One day when there was company, and old folks were there,

she mocked them and shocked them and said she didn't care.

Just as she kicked her heels and turned to run and hide,

two great big black things were standing by her side.

They snatched her through the ceiling before she knew what she was 'bout,

and the goblins will get you if you don't watch out!

And Little Orphan Annie says when the blaze is blue

and the lamp wick flutters and the wind goes woooooo,

You'd better mind your daddy and mommy and your teacher fond and dear,

and help the poor and needy ones and dry an orphan's tear.

Just help the poor and needy ones that linger about

or the goblins will get YOU if you don't watch out!