Oh, Halloween, how I love thee.
A night of enchantment and bountiful can-dy.
A time to prepare for that perfect costume,
A pointy hat, black cape, and a witch’s broom?
Or maybe a ghost with a simple white sheet,
Make sure to hem it or you’ll trip up your feet!
How ‘bout an angel, so lovely and pure?
Little devils would be more accurate for my kids, for sure.
No matter the act or role that they choose,
Remember that parents too need treats and/or booze.
A spiced wine or cold beer, it’s really no matter,
All Hallows Eve means a night to get fatter!
At Chez Wilson, you see, chili and cornbread do reign,
As I sport a fall apron and a dazzling new mane.
‘Cause every Halloween I wear a cool wig,
Usually a strawberry-blonde afro that goes over big.
Neighbors don’t know me, which I think is fun,
And when the tots go away crying, well, Kids 0, Me 1.
We also decorate to the hilt, mainly just outside,
With a graveyard and strobe lights, and goblins who’ve died.
My favorite is our scene with the rusty lawnmower,
Underneath which lies a body who moved much slower
Than the machine which fatally pinned him beneath
And left him in pieces— his arms, legs, and teeth.
There’s spooky music too, and fog on the ground,
And motion activated ghouls atop a cemetery mound.
We add a little more décor each October that comes,
Like a beady-eyed raven amongst some fake plastic mums.
Last year was the fog machine, though it actually kind of sucked.
It overheated and shut down; I think we got . . . screwed.
Fifty dollars for that plus another ten for the “juice”?
I’d been better off with dry ice and a spotlighted noose.
Anyhoo, we adore this most fantastic of eves.
Whether in the heat we sweat or cold temps we freeze.
As long as there’s no rain to ruin the night
We’ll traipse through the hood with utter delight.
For on this night of all nights, with magic in the air,
We celebrate family and tradition and my fake afro hair.
And recall fond memories of past get-togethers,
Of haunted houses gone bad and “It’s the Great Pumpkin” sweaters.
Most importantly we relish our children’s wide eyes,
Filled with wonder and excitement and hopes still alive
of landing the mother lode of sugar and sweets
And setting up shop later to trade jellied feet.
Chocolate trumps all in the Halloween “stores”
Until I call them back out for fireside s’mores.
Then it’s off to bed where sleep comes late,
As they replay the events of such a wonderful date.
Happy Halloween to you all, and let me leave no doubt,
It’s my most favorite day of the year! Peace out.