Coming of Age

At the beginning, I did not stand or crawl.

I did not know seasons, not even Fall.

Then I saw children like me,

Screaming, howling, playing make-believe.

I walked the streets and ate the candy. Reese’s, Snickers, chocolate and malt,

Caramel, crunchy, and just a hint of salt.

I grew older and the night had changed.

The long awaited cold suddenly grew fangs.

I bundled up warmer and snuck champagne,

But I knew the howls and laughter would never be the same.

Another year, more holidays passed.

Two decades of life, Halloween comes fast.

The costumes looked more like masks, our true desires revealed.

The candy looked slightly congealed.

I face tiny and big children with a fake grin painted on my own mask.

Only concentrating on getting through the task.

I walk my children down a familiar way,

Tired and ragged with steaming coffee in my hand, I say,

“One more house”. I’m met with groans

And moans.

I look with envious eyes at the joy surrounding me.

Wishing age would not come with such a fee.

Old and wrinkled, I shuffle slowly to the door.

I see a bitter cold night and nothing more.

Shrieks tear through the silence and happy screams fill the dark,

Throughout the streets and towards the park.

I look on again with such envy at the joy.

Then I see at my sidewalk, a little boy.

He’s timid and shy and comes up the walk slow.

Shivering as the wind picks up and starts to really blow.

I tell him, “Child, I have no candy or sweets for your tooth tonight.”

He remarks, “That is quite alright.”

“Then why come to my door?”

“To tell you Happy Halloween and nothing more.”

He skips on, disappears into thin air, a grin spreads across my face and I fear it.

Never too late to catch the Halloween spirit.