October 31

The night of frights. I was a vampire. She was a witch. He was the Grim Reaper. Second neighborhood Sore stomachs Sore feet Sore mouths from smiling Bags a little heavier Shoulders a lot lighter Third neighborhood She laughed too wildly But we all did I assumed it was the Snickers, But I began to see something in her eyes Only when I was looking for it A glimmer, a gleam A secret plot she hadn’t yet revealed. Fourth neighborhood He was a bit too serious Too sullen, sad And his scythe began to shine like steel I assumed it was the moonlight And I assumed the fallen person behind him Had tripped But why wouldn’t he stand up? Last neighborhood Her face had grown waxy In a way no costume makeup could create And the broom in her hand Was she even holding it anymore? Or was it drifting alongside her? And her smile was making her face stretch In unnatural ways. Like wax melting down a candle. But no I was just tired. And when he walked Did that patch of grass shrivel, Beneath his feet? Did he have feet? Was he just gliding on air? No, its just getting dark out. Almost home Laughing through My fanged teeth Began to feel real And it scared me My skin was an unnatural pale But it was just the streetlights? Pawing through my candy Not finding something satisfying enough I was thirsty For what Rather, for who? But I wasn’t stupid Blood or not And when death walked toward me? I flew away.