Halloween

The day before All Saints Day

 

Halloween

© 2008    Mark Pearce

Ghosts march freely

Up the lane,

Carrying bags weighted with

Formed and branded sugar.

 

We smile about that.

About the honesty and innocence

Crowding our door step.

The shuffling – the scuffling – for position.

       

To knock or ring?

That –

Is the question.

 

"Trick or treat.”

The time-honored call.

                               

You’d think that eventually there’d be

A Shakespeare or a Longfellow

Among the bunch who would

Think of something new to say. 

 

But in the meantime

“Trick or treat” will do.

A comfortable phrase, in fact.

 

Now it’s our turn.

 

Load ‘em down.

Load ‘em down with so much candy

That half if it will be

Thrown away after

Sitting in a bag for three months.

                       

That’s what this day is all about.

That, and wonder.

 

We slowly close the door

As the Martians and the goblins

And the presidents and the movie stars

And the killers and the princesses

Fade from the neighborhood.

 

Twenty Halloweens have passed together

And I still love you.

 

That’s kind of spooky.

Author's Note

This could be something else...
But it isn't.

Reviews

[Rhonda]

This isn't what I expected from the title, "Halloween."
I loved the descriptions of the children. It made me remember why Halloween is my favorite day.

The ending was cute and unexpected.

Thanks for sharing!

-R

[Sel Whiteley]

This is so sensitive and so loving. You really captured the scene and the humour was great. I couldn't predict that end coming at all. I hope your partner really liked this poem.