At twilight I went for a walk on Hallowed eve.
Seams in the pavement slipped under my steps
as I passed shaded houses
tucked in blankets of grass.
The afternoon shadows draped misted sweaters
along angled roof tops, window panes and drain spouts.
Hand sewn gardens were buttoned
plush with pansies of yellow and purple.
Mums, smug and musty, huddled close by.
The air was fresh with harvest home,
stirred by hushed chatter mingled with the tap-tap
of leaves dropping.
Though my way was led by streetlights
and warm window lamps, I sensed
a darkness pervading.
What are the children donning
behind closed doors –
costumes of Dracula, witches, and death?
In the sky a dark line formed
bold and thick,
one side gray blue, the other black billows.
Cars passed by at a ghostly pace;
for there was need of caution this Hallowed eve.
The line in the sky etched deep
as I imagined the children dressing up
in costumes designed from cardboard and satin.
My pace quickened as the air grew darker.
Oh! Please! I prayed for parents unknown,
Please! My heart yelled beyond that blackening cloud.
Make them clowns and spacemen,
ladybugs, butterflies and dinosaurs!
Guard the children now!
This is your chance
to put terror in the grave
and rip off the devil’s mask!
Don’t scare the children –
turn off the spooky music
and turn on your porch light!
Put smiles on your pumpkins –
let the scarecrows dance!
As the eve turned to night and bold stars twinkled bright,
I wondered how deep those raven clouds plunged.
Embraced in my home, I turned on the porch light.
My fat pumpkin’s smile glowed
when my doorbell rang clear.
Trembling, I peered through the opened door –
and there in the moonlight, with bags opened wide, was
one frilly fairy,
one hairy lion,
and a knight in shining armor!
“Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” (Ephesians 6:11)
