From the NaPoWriMo site:

And without further ado, here’s our daily (optional) prompt. For this challenge, start by reading Marlanda Dekine’s poem “My Grandma Told Stories or Cautionary Tales.” One common feature of childhood is the monsters. The ones under the bed or in the closet; the odd local monsters that other kids swear roam the creek at night, or that parents say wait to steal away naughty children that don’t go to bed on time.

Now, cast your mind back to your own childhood and write a poem about something that scared you – or was used to scare you – and which still haunts you (if only a little bit) today.

Happy (shivery spooky) writing!

The Ghost

The ghost in grandma’s attic 
always left me shook
I heard the creaks and clatters
of all the steps he took.

I knew he wafted through the walls
of every floor and space,
but the attic in my closet 
was his very favorite place.

Nighttime he’d begin by knocking,
Scraping, scratching,screeching;
I never knew just where he was
or if he’d come a reaching.

For many years I felt the fear 
creeping up into my bones;for if I closed my eyes I knew
my soul the ghost would own.

I wonder if the ghost still lives 
in grandma’s former dwelling;
for stories of his haunting deeds
still told are quite compelling. 

—Carla Jeanne