The following poems about Halloween—or featuring ghosts, pumpkins, and the paranormal—are appropriate for young people.
“The Witch-Bride” by William Allingham
A fair witch crept to a young man's side,...
“Hallowe’en” by Joel Benton
Pixie, kobold, elf, and sprite...
“Halloween” by Madison Julius Cawein
It was down in the woodland on last Hallowe'en,
“Ghosts and Fashion” by Elaine Equi
Although it no longer has a body...
“In the Still, Star-Lit Night” by Elaine Equi
In the still, star-lit night,...
“The Demiurge’s Laugh” by Robert Frost
It was far in the sameness of the wood...
“Hallowe'en Charm” by Arthur Guiterman
Fern seed, hemp seed, water of the well,
“Ghost Music” by Robert Graves
Gloomy and bare the organ-loft...
“Haunted Houses” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
All houses wherein men have lived and died …
“Mr. Macklin’s Jack O’Lantern” by David McCord
Mr. Macklin takes his knife ...
“Antigonish [I met a man who wasn't there]” by Hughes Mearns
Yesterday, upon the stair, / I met a man...
“Shadwell Stair” by Wilfred Owen
I am the ghost of Shadwell Stair...
“The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe
Once upon a midnight dreary …
“Goblin Market” by Christina Rossetti
Morning and evening / Maids heard the goblins …
“November 2: Día de los muertos” by Alberto Ríos
It is not simply the Day of the Dead—loud, and parties.
“Theme in Yellow” by Carl Sandburg
I spot the hills …
“Dusk in Autumn” by Sara Teasdale
The moon is like a scimitar …
“Black Cat” by Rainer Maria Rilke
A ghost, though invisible, still is like a place ...
“Macbeth, Act IV, Scene I [Round about the cauldron go]” by William Shakespeare
The three witches, casting a spell
“To Live in the Zombie Apocalypse” by Burlee Vang
The moon will shine for God …
Poems for Teens:
“The Vampire” by Delmira Agustini
In the bosom of the sad evening…
“The Murderess” by Alice Cary
Along the still cold plain o’erhead,…
“Hallowmas” by Madison Julius Cawein
All hushed of glee, / The last chill bee
“A Witch’s Chant” by James Hogg
Thou art weary, weary, weary,…
“The Ghost's Petition” by Christina Rossetti
‘There’s a footstep coming: look out and see,’…
“The Poor Ghost” by Christina Rossetti
‘Oh whence do you come, my dear friend, to me,…
“Haunted” by Siegfried Sassoon
Evening was in the wood, louring with storm.…
“October” by Evalyn Callahan Shaw
October is the month that seems / All woven with…
More Resources:
Lesson Plan: Ghosts and Spirits: In this lesson plan, students will discuss “Haunted Houses” by William Wadsworth Longfellow and “Unbidden” by Rae Armantrout.
The Poetry of Superstition and Supposition: Poet and educator Aimee Nezhukumatathil provides points of discussion and writing prompts in this essay on superstition.
Lesson Plans for Halloween: Explore a selection of lesson plans featuring poems about ghosts, haunted houses, and more.