Halloween villanelle

The pumpkin patch is where we go
to see the Jack o’ Lantern rise
and walk with eyes and mouth aglow.

The year before we saw him throw
his orange skull at Halloween skies,
and so the patch is where we go.

He clambers down from where the crow
would never dare to make its cries,
and walks with eyes and mouth aglow.

The town since Æthelred’s been low
in place and piety, a hive of thieves and lies.
It’s to the pumpkin patch we go.

We’ve long since buried God to stow
in each our hearts the elder gods, like flies
that flit with eyes and mouths aglow.

And on the witching night all magics flow
towards the Jack of straw within its ties.
It’s to the pumpkin patch we go…
we walk with eyes and souls aglow.