Treasuring Poetry – Poetry collections for Halloween by Annette Rochelle Aben, Dawn Pisturino and Freya Pickard

Posted: October 14, 2026 | Author: robbiesinspiration | Filed under: Book Review, Collection, Poetry, Review, Treasuring Poetry | Tags: Annette Rochell Aben, Book Review, Dawn Pasturino, Freya Pickard, Haiku, Haiku for the Midnight Hour, Halloween, Poetry, Robbie Cheadle, Treasuring Poetry, Writing to be Read | Leave a comment

Treasuring Poetry has been running for several years and its time for a change. This series will be ending in December this year and next year’s anthology will be the last Poetry Treasures collection.

This month and as a Halloween treat, I am showcasing three books by poets I’ve featured previously for this series, Annette Rochelle Aben, Dawn Pisturino, and Freya Pickard.

Son of BOOKU Returns: with more Halloween haiku by Annette Rochelle Aben

Picture caption: Cover of Son of BOOKU Returns: with more Halloween Haiku

What Amazon says

As the autumn leaves fall, the creatures heed the call and assemble for a night of fun frolic, and fright. Oh, the preparation it takes to gain the admiration of fans of all walks of life. Yet, the mystical maven of midnight magic will slave away night and day to create the perfect atmosphere. An atmosphere worthy of ghosts and goblins both small and tall.
So, when you find yourself absent-mindedly dancing in the moonlight… If you are drawn to fog-covered bridges because you are curious about what you will find on the other side, then DO get into this book. If for no other reason than to gladden your heart and give voice to your wicked laughter!

My review

Son of Booku Returns is another wonderful collaboration between poet, Annette Rochelle Aben, and artist, Lorraine Parent. The photographs of Lorraine’s Halloween displays are original and creative and I would love to see them in real life. As America is two oceans away from Africa, I must be content with the excellent pictures in this book. My favourite display was a snake with a human head wrapped within its coils and a human hand extending from its mouth. A grave with RIP on it is behind the snake.

Annette has matched each picture with the perfect haiku and every combination made me smile.

The poem that goes with the snake detailed above is:
“Spent most of my life
Clawing my way to the top
That’s no way to live.”

If you are looking for a Halloween creative feast, this book is the perfect dish.

Purchase Son of BOOKU Returns: with more Halloween haiku from Amazon US here: https://www.amazon.com/Son-BOOKU-Returns-Halloween-haiku-ebook/dp/B0CLYZW4KC/

About Annette Rochelle Aben

Words are like threads that when woven together with passion and purpose can create a tapestry in which you long to wander. That passion was ignited in me when I was a small child and continues to burn bright even today. I was encouraged by educators who challenged me to try and by career paths that demanded I become a proficient wordsmith. I would like to think I have done them proud. Over the years, I have won awards, been nominated for an EMMY for television writing, and penned a #1 Best Selling book of poetry. My collection of books available here on Amazon include self-help, inspirational, and of course poetry. I have been invited to participate in anthologies and collections, several of which are here as well. Welcome to my world of words. Should you find something in which to lose yourself, I shall raise my glass in a toast to your happiness. Thank you for your kind attention.

Find all of Annette Rochelle Aben’s books on Amazon US here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Annette-Rochelle-Aben/author/B00MSQTGUY

Find Annette Rochelle Aben on her blog here: https://annetterochelleaben.wordpress.com/

A poem by Annette Rochelle Aben

Tune In

Generous is your mind

So much in it to find

Such as, ways to be kind

To yourself and others

Tune In

Haiku for the Midnight Hour by Dawn Pisturino

Picture caption: Cover of Haiku for the Midnight Hour with a raven perched on a human skull against a moon backdrop

What Amazon says

“This collection of haiku challenges the traditional Japanese poetic art form. Experimenting with darker images and ideas, I have created non-traditional observations that address the other side of literature and life: monsters, ghosts, natural fears, supernatural forces, fearful gods and goddesses, and whatever constitutes the Otherworld. This book was written for people who like Halloween, scary stories, and being alone in the dark.” – Dawn Pisturino

My review

This is an entertaining collection of micro poems that revolve around the themes of Halloween and ghostly happenings. The micro poems are collected under common themes with headings, for example, Wee Folk and Crystal Balls.

While most of the micro poems deal with the paranormal, there are several that deal with Family and dark events in the home. On such example is Aunt Jane, as follows:

“aunt jane – locked away
in the attic for years – rocks
back and forth in chains”

The poems are clever and darkly humorous. Two of my favourites are as follows:

Jack and the Giant
“jack climbed the beanstalk
with curious intention
a giant backlash”

Purgatory
“purgatory and
punishment clean souls tarnished
by sinful doings”

If you enjoy clever and dark theme micro poems, this is the book for you.

Purchase Haiku for the Midnight Hour by Dawn Pisturino from Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Haiku-Midnight-Hour-Dawn-Pisturino-ebook/dp/B0DD3SBP6N/

About Dawn Pisturino

Picture caption: Amazon author photograph of Dawn Pisturino

Dawn Pisturino is a retired registered nurse in Arizona whose international publishing credits include poems, short stories, and articles. She has published five poetry collections, including her most recent release, Ancient Voices: Poems About Ancient Egypt, which achieved #1 Amazon New Release status in African Poetry, History of Egypt, History of Africa, and History of North Africa. The Mystery of the Pink Poodle is her debut children’s book. She is a member of the Mystery Writers of America and the Arizona Authors Association.

Find all of Dawn Pisturino’s books on Amazon US here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Dawn-Pisturino/author/B0CYM7BV37

You can find Dawn Pisturino on her blog here: https://dawnpisturino.wordpress.com/2026/10/02/call-of-cthulhu-short-video/

Vampirical Verse by Freya Pickard

What Amazon says

“This book is for the walking dead who have learnt to live as best they can with hollow hearts and gaping wounds.”

The author says her brokenness comes from nearly dying of bowel cancer, having open surgery to remove the tumour, a uterine fibroid, and her womb. She then had six months of chemotherapy.

I have had several first hand experiences of the emotional, mental, and physical devastation caused by chronic illness, and dreaded disease. It impacts on the patient and on everyone around them. My own experiences include nursing family members through breast cancer, a pulmonary embolism, a venous sinus thrombosis, and chronic and on-going illnesses suffered by both of my two sons. My younger son is a ‘medical mystery’ or a ‘medical miracle’ depending on your viewpoint.

People react differently to chronic illness and near death experiences, but no-one escapes unscathed. The poems in this book are the author’s expressions of the fear, anger, and stoic numbness which accompany different stages of treatment and survival. Experiencing these poems will change you, as the disease itself changed the author. They will teach you compassion, appreciation, understanding, and gratitude.

A few of the stanzas in this book that resonated with me the longest.

From: The Dead
“the dead feel –
I am not in stasis as you believe
I fluctuate between despair and hope
empty days, lonely nights”

From Camouflaged
“if you blink
you’ll catch a glimpse
and wish you’d not;
I am the thought
you didn’t want to think”

and a haiku
“on this side of death
shadows remain long, gaunt, thin
light never expands”

If you know someone who is, or has, suffered chronic illness or dreaded disease, these poems will give insight into their world. I encourage lovers of poetry to read this book and allow yourself to change and grow.

My review

“This book is for the walking dead who have learnt to live as best they can with hollow hearts and gaping wounds.”

The author says her brokenness comes from nearly dying of bowel cancer, having open surgery to remove the tumour, a uterine fibroid, and her womb. She then had six months of chemotherapy.

A few of the stanzas in this book that resonated with me the longest.

From: The Dead
“the dead feel –
I am not in stasis as you believe
I fluctuate between despair and hope
empty days, lonely nights”

From Camouflaged
“if you blink
you’ll catch a glimpse
and wish you’d not;
I am the thought
you didn’t want to think”

and a haiku
“on this side of death
shadows remain long, gaunt, thin
light never expands”

Purchase Vampirical Verse by Freya Pickard from Amazon US here: https://www.amazon.com/Vampirical-Verse-Dragonscale-Delvings-Book-ebook/dp/B0CH4Q8KD8/

About Freya Pickard

Picture caption: Author photograph of Freya Pickard

Pushcart Prize nominee, Freya Pickard is the quirky, unusual author of The Kaerling series, an epic fantasy set in the strange and wonderful world of Nirunen.

A cancer survivor, she writes mainly dark fantasy tales and creates expressive poetry in order to rest the prose side of her brain. Her aim in life is to enchant, entertain and engage with readers through her writing.

She finds her inspiration in the ocean, the moors, beautifully written books and vinyl music (particularly heavy metal and rock). Her most recent relaxation techniques to get her through lockdown include hatha yoga and painting landscapes and monsters in watercolour.

Find out more about Freya and her books at https://freyanrites.wordpress.com/

A haiku by Freya Pickard

Message from Freya about this photograph and haiku: My friend, Claudia Messelodi, is a published poet who also takes amazing photographs when she’s out hiking, skiing, rock climbing, paddle boarding, biking in the Italian countryside. Her photos often inspire me to try and paint them, but this one birthed a haiku! Claudia has a beautiful blog where she posts haiku and photographs of the natural world around her at A Stream of Small Stones. Please visit her there!

More of my haiku can be found in my Poetry Collections!

About Robbie Cheadle

Picture caption: Robbie Cheadle author picture

South African author and illustrator, Robbie Cheadle, has written and illustrated sixteen children’s books, illustrated a further three children’s books, and written and illustrated three poetry books. Her work has also appeared in poetry and short story anthologies.

Robbie also has two novels and a collection of short stories published under the name of Roberta Eaton Cheadle and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories featured in several anthologies under this name.

You can find Robbie Cheadle’s artwork, fondant and cake artwork, and all her books on her website here: https://www.robbiecheadle.co.za/

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This segment of “Treasuring Poetry” is sponsored by WordCrafter Press and the Poetry Treasures series.