In the pitch black night
and cool crisp air,
ghosts and goblins
roam everywhere.

Frightful kids scatter about
collecting treats,
for their moms and dads
later to eat.

Knock knock on the door.
Who’s there?
A trick for a treat.
They do,
they dare!

Candy corn and chocolate,
popcorn balls and more.
The Halloween spirit fills each kid to their very core.

Later in bed,
tucked under and warm,
something’s still out there,
unsettled and worn.

The trees begin to rattle
and the leaves shake the Earth.
The screeching owl howls,
and other dreadful creatures lurk.

Fog rolls through the streets
and a smell lingers near,
reminiscent of the dead,
instills nothing but fear.

Pumpkins still aglow when
midnight strikes the hour.

An expected knock;
the door opens to a crack,
shining through is
black, black, black.

Inside, the fireplace burns, your body shook and quivered
at the thought of someone there,
a final Halloween thriller.



A special Halloween poem

In anticipation of 2026’s graduation ceremony, the Campus Times conducted an interview with upcoming Commencement speaker Jeannine Shao Collins ’86. Collins, who earned a bachelor's degree in economics from URochester, currently works as the Chief Client Officer at Kargo: a multiplatform advertising and media company. Read More

A special Halloween poem

Through a live demonstration and tasting, Chef Dede prepared fried chicken, baked macaroni and cheese, and collard greens – dishes rooted in Black Southern history. Students leaned in as she explained the methods and care that go into each plate. Read More

A special Halloween poem

For graduated senior Helen Jackson, who hadn’t been able to go home for breaks for the past two years, these last few months have been a much-needed break. “I’m moving halfway across the country in July for my PhD program, so I probably won’t be able to come home very often after this,” she said. Read More