Splores of a Halloween, Twenty Years Ago

A lively, tongue‑in‑cheek verse invites listeners into a 19th‑century Halloween gathering, where mischievous spirits, witches, and a boisterous crowd of “young anes” revel beneath the autumn night. Written in a spirited Scots dialect, the poem captures the clash between merriment and eerie superstition, painting scenes of smoky clouds, rattling doors, and frantic chases that feel both humorous and oddly unsettling.

Beyond the festive chaos, the narrator reflects on the nature of artistic judgment, explaining why this piece, though never awarded, deserves a hearing from the public. The rhythmic cadence and vivid, sometimes grotesque imagery make the work a snapshot of a bygone celebration, offering a window into the humor and folklore of a Halloween long ago, while leaving the listener curious about what may unfold after the night's wild revelries begin to subside.