One of my new Halloween traditions is participating in children’s book author Susanna Hill’s Halloweensie contest. Last year was my first time and I had so much fun–plus exercised my writing muscles, and practiced brevity–with all her seasonal contests. (I even won Honorable Mention for Memorable Characters!) It’s called “weensie” because it’s just that, entries max out at 100 words and must include shiver, cauldron, and howl. For all the spooky details, you can check out her site here.

While I was mulling over what my short would be about, Mermaid Girl had Honors Assembly which fell on the same day as Hat Day. As I was going through ALL my pictures (yes, I’m that mom), this one where she’s taking an AR test started a brainstorm–the witch hat, the NASA book in her lap… What witch wouldn’t want to ride her broom to the moon?

I hope y’all enjoy!

A Broom to the Moon

Willa was a good witch,
she wore her pointy hat with pride,
her whipping cloak gave shivers
when she hopped on her broom to ride.

She collected crawlies for the cauldron,
nightshade and lost lockets.
But when she looked up at the moon,
Willa also dreamed of rockets.

To fly her broom up to the moon,
it’s what she wanted most of all.
Her aunties howled,
“But there’s a chance you’ll fall!”

Willa had Halloween plans—
she’d build boosters on her broom.
A bit of engineering, a tinkering here and there,
With a BOOM, she zoomed up to her moon!