Wind howls through stony branches
Moon shifts faces with striated clouds
Fresh cut jack-o-lanterns wink their grins
How many kids can we count.by tens
Running, packs of decked-out wolf-pups
reflective skeleton, reaper, gypsy, pirate,
Costumed and cuddly ballerina, a ghost
Huge October moon illuminates the host
Drenching streets in paths orange‘n gold
Doorbells ring, eager outstretched hands
Demanding treats with candied smiles
Dandies energized, can run for miles!
Dark descends, beacon moon blanks out
Sudden air chills, currents foreboding
push through the gaggles of innocence
delivering omens, strange omnipotence
Gnarled trees form ghastly shapes, finger-
leaves tug at sleeves, caught breaths
catch in air, houses now late-shuttered
somewhere steam hisses and sputters
An owl hoots, darkened shape atop a tree
takes rustling flight with pulsing wings
beats the night with waves of glee
clamoring host, giddy ones below, now flee!
To welcoming homes they flow with
tattering rags-to-riches flapping in tow
gripped candy bags swinging, fear beading
their brows, a collective shudder is freeing
It’s delightful to be frightful and frightened!
As UNEXPECTED waits outside looking in
He sees cherub faces asleep in their sheets
old Gnarled Darkly again walks the streets
~ * ~
