If you have a tree covered in moss, then you must hang a ghost there.
I’ve taken a number of pictures of Halloween decorations thinking about the photo for this week. This one is the winner. In my neck of the woods (South Louisiana), moss covered trees are common. My husband grew up calling it “spooky moss”. It is the common Spanish moss, and on some trees, the stuff practically takes over the tree, even though I’ve read that moss is a bromeliad in the pineapple family and does not harm the tree.
“Many homeowners think that Spanish moss kills their trees. This is not the case because the moss is not parasitic. The only thing Spanish moss uses trees for is support.” University of Florida.
Yesterday as we were writing metaphors for artifacts in nature (#WriteOut), Avalyn created this form:
The (A, An) object in nature
is/is like …
describe how it is like
end with a connection to life
I tried the form when writing about milkweed seeds. I combined it with a prompt from Ethical ELA to write with words from paint chips here.
A milkweed seed
is a great white egret
showing off its lacy wings
to the mirrored pool in the sky.
Margaret Simon, draft
Spanish moss
are stalactites
hanging on a crepe myrtle
hosting ghostly terrormites.
Margaret Simon, draftNow it’s your turn. You can try Avalyn’s form or use your own. Please encourage other writers with your responses. Happy Halloween!
Reflections on the Teche 
I can’t wait to try Avalyn’s Form! I’ll use it as an alternative to my daily cherita practice!
ghostly terrormites! I love it!!!
OOOOOO…thank you Avalyn!
Here’s my little poem. I had fun getting this down, worked on it a bit but since I live up north, Spanish Moss is not a regular sight for me. Love this idea, the ghosts, the photo and your suggested form!!
I Just Had That Brush
Spanish Moss
is a witch’s wild white hair,
swishing, swashing, dancing
while she searches for her brush that was right over there!
Janet Clare F. @draft
This is a fun poem. Love the rhyme and the funny idea of a lost brush!
Janet, I agree with Margaret. I also enjoyed the sounds of all your letter s sounds and your repetition of ing.
Thank you and be sure Adalyn knows I am thankful to her. This was fun and a nice idea. I have only seen moss in Savannah before. Love the idea of it though!!!!
Gail, Thank you for your comment and I like how you “got it” but not surprised in the least. I have to come back later to leave notes. Glad to at least get together here, my friend!!!!
Fun, Janet! It does remind me of a witch’s hair.
This northern girl is just fascinated by the moss! Tell me more – is it green on the summer and turns grey in the fall? Here is a quick try at the Avalyn’s Form. I am not a poet but fun!
The Spanish moss
hangs like witches hair
drooping in long grey tangled strands
like sea weed pulled from a swamping pond.
Joanne, thanks for trying Avalyn’s form. Spanish moss stays grey year round. I like the comparison to sea weed.
Joanne, I like the image of the long gray tangled strands drooping especially like seaweed. Nice idea. I haven’t ever heard of a swamping pond. I have heard of a swamp or if something looks swampy. Interesting how people from different areas use words in different ways.
Yes, like seaweed!
Margaret, your ghost looks so spooky tree in the Spanish moss! Thank you to Avalyn for her form, which I gave a try, but with a little humor. I love your comparison of the milkweed fluffy seeds being the egret’s lacy wings. I love the feel of the silky white part of a milkweed seed. Using Spanish moss as stalactites on crepe myrtle is great and colorful image! I love that.
I wrote a funny poem and a more serious poem.
Spanish moss
is an unruly, frizzy, gray beard
touching the floor, that can be
used as a
mop.
Gail Aldous draft
birds braided live
oak’s Spanish moss
tresses coiling them
into a bun, tiger
swallow tail butterfly
adorned Live Oak’s bun
Gail Aldous draft
Thank you for Avalyn’s and your inspiration.
Both of these are great! I love the gray beard image and the swallowtail on live oak’s bun. Wonderful metaphors.
Thank you, Margaret. I’m glad you like them. 🙂
Love the image of the gray beard and mop, Gail.
Thanks, Rose, I appreciate that.
What fun, Margaret. Please thank Avalyn for this new form.
Spanish moss
is myrtle’s silvery garland
masking ghost until…
BOO!
Rose, yes to silvery garland and BOO!