Halloween Memories
You didn't go out and just buy a costume
at least not when I was growing up.
You had to be more inventive
than just going out to shop.
I learned that simple things
can make wonderful costumes, too.
I've tried my hand making some
and succeeded with a few.
My friend Jimmy was an only child
who loved Halloween monsters and gore.
Ringing the doorbells for Halloween treats
we always went around for more.
Have you ever had a ghost
follow you as you made your rounds?
The year I noticed that big one behind us
made my little heart bang with sounds.
But it was only Jimmy's mom
dressed up in an old white sheet.
A fluorescent skull mask covered her face
Which made her costume pretty neat.
So, I have tried to have some fun
in the years that have come and gone.
Sometimes my costume was the biggest flop
while some a blue ribbon would have won.
Like the year I wanted to be "The Tin Man"
I thought I would look so neat.
So I wrapped myself in aluminum foil
never thinking it would reflect my body's heat.
I was a "Flasher" one Halloween I remember
wearing only shorts under a trench coat so others would believe
Until I opened up my coat and the strobe went off
so they didn't really see.
Kids would always come to our house for candy
as I always had the duty that night.
Now I wonder if they came for the candy
or what was behind the door to give them a fright.
I always swung open the door and yelled "Who's ringin' that bell"?
Their reaction to my costume was my prize
It didn't matter what they wore or said
But I did scare some of the little ones in size.
One year I pinned a big ball on my shoulder
so it looked like I had two heads up there.
I covered it with a mask and an old hat
and wore a mask myself for an added scare.
The best costume I think I ever did
took me some time to figure out.
I decided to have some extra limbs
to make people give a shout.
I took a old pair of pants legs
and sewed them to mine front and back.
I took an old shirt and made an arm hole
where the shoulders would join in back.
Then I stuffed all four limbs with paper
pinned gloves and socks to the ends.
Then put on my home made costume
and went out to dinner with a friend.
The restaurant went quiet
with my four legs dancing through the door.
The four arms didn't help anyone looking
To get their chins up off the floor.
I got a lot of "strange looks" that night
as we were seated, my friend and me.
Only the host wasn't flustered...
When he said, "Will that be for two or three"?
Copyright © Dan Cwiak | Year Posted 2015
Post Comments
Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.
Please
Login
to post a comment